ETIAS required?

Posted by suzannebell on 12/29/25 10:02 PM

We are Canadian and we will be travelling to the Netherlands and Belgium in April 2026 for 3 weeks

Are we correct that the ETIAS is not required yet?

I pulled this note off of the Netherland government website but want to make sure our info is correct and up to date

“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”.

Thank you.

Posted by shoeflyer

Chicago

12/29/25 10:13 PM

1189 posts

Nothing is required yet prior to a trip. I believe that biometric data may start to be
collected at some point, but even that is not quite clear.

I am quite sure that when the whole procedure actually (if ever) starts up, there will
be many articles written and this board will be well aware of what needs to be done.

Now, if you're going to the UK, that is in place already.

Posted by Nigel🚊🧸🔔

Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England

12/30/25 08:58 AM

36257 posts

that is correct... if it ever gets off the ground

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

12/30/25 11:55 AM

18390 posts

However, be prepared for EES. There is nothing you can do about this beforehand. You get registered upon arrival in Schengen. Some are reporting delays at Immigration because of it.

Posted by JoyNycB

USA

01/21/26 05:30 PM

26 posts

Frank II - Does that apply if you are connecting in Amsterdam? I have a 2h30m connection in September (coming from the US with Poland as final destination). Do I get registered at Amsterdam or at arrival in Poland?

Posted by Nigel🚊🧸🔔

Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England

01/21/26 07:41 PM

36257 posts

I am not Frank II but it has been my understanding that you are registered at the first Schengen airport IF the EES machines are working (often not at many airports) so immigration (the person) at the first Schengen airport, Customs (the stuff) at the destination country. Customs is often no more formal than you choosing to go out a green door or a red door.

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

01/21/26 10:08 PM

18390 posts

Nigel, as usual, is correct.

Posted by joe32F

Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂

01/21/26 11:34 PM

13223 posts

“ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026...."

So no sooner than Oct 1st.

Anyone seen the latest betting line on if it happens then?

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

01/22/26 02:07 AM

18390 posts

Anyone seen the latest betting line on if it happens then?

I wouldn't take that bet.

I'll believe ETIAS will happen when:

1) They announce an actual starting date;

2) They actually open up online registration.

Until then, it's all speculation.

Posted by Silas Marner

01/22/26 03:21 AM

899 posts

Here's a wrinkle discussed at the Schiphol site: https://www.schiphol.nl/en/prepare-for-your-flight-at-schiphol/ees/

Q) Do I need to register in the EES if I'm transferring from a non-Schengen to another non-Schengen destination?

A) No, you don’t need to register in that case, because you won’t be crossing the external border of the Schengen Area. Just follow the signs to your next gate, or visit the transfer desk if you don’t yet have a boarding pass for your connecting flight.

I think this would apply for example if flying from the US to Scotland with a transfer at AMS.