when does etias start

ETIAS is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026 ; the EU says the exact date will be announced several months before launch.

Quick Scoop

The most reliable public guidance right now is:

• Expected start: late 2026.

• Exact date: not announced yet.

• What this means for travelers: no ETIAS application is required yet.

Current status

The EU has linked ETIAS to the rollout of the Entry/Exit System first, and official EU pages still describe ETIAS as not yet operational.

If you want, I can also tell you who needs ETIAS and how it differs from a visa.