Has anyone heard of a more specific start date for the Etias program than "last quarter of 2026"?
That's a pretty big window- I'd like to get this chore taken care of as soon as I can.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13334 posts
ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.
No action is required from travellers at this point.
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias
They say they will provide " several months" notice, so you will have plenty of time to do the necessary, once (if?) they hit the 'go' button.
Posted by
Surrey, UK
835 posts
There is no set date. If the EES rollout is anything to go by, don't hold your breath.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13334 posts
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) started to be operational on 12 October 2025. European countries using the EES are introducing the system gradually at their external borders. This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees
Seems at some point I read that ETIAS was to go into effect six months after EES was up and running.
Needing an ETAIS before Oct 10 looks unlikely.
Posted by
Paris
11297 posts
And last week the European Commission gave Schengen members "certain facilities" to not implement all of the EES by April 10. In other words, add 90 days to April 10, and possible another 60 after that, before the EES is fully implemented.
Then several months after those April 10 + 90 (+ maybe 60) days before Etias .....
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13334 posts
Kim-- Sounds like the can is being kicked down the road some more
.
The "can" may circumnavigate the globe before it finally happens.( making a stop at everyone of the 'where in the world locations' in the alphabetical list Nigel started)