Hi all,
We will be traveling to Sicily in August & Croatia in October. I’ve heard that we need to apply for ETIAS travel authorization (European Travel I formation & Authorization System) for travel in the 4th quarter of 2026. I’ve been on their website to get information & apply. However it doesn’t seem that applications are currently available. Does anyone have a clear understanding of how this is going to affect traveling in 2026? Thanks for any insight.
Posted by
The Netherlands
2189 posts
If you’ve been on the official EU website about ETIAS, you should have read this message that’s featured prominently on the home page;
“ 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/en/etias
This message tells you all you need to know about ETIAS.
Posted by
Chicagoland
2192 posts
If and when ETIAS begins, your airline will let you know and this forum will have updates galore. The start date has been moving for years. There is no definite start date at this time.
Posted by
Illinois
226 posts
You might also read from the information provided in the link (thank you Dutch traveler) that those under 18 or over 70 years of age will be exempt from paying the 20€ application fee.