Europe’s ETIAS travel authorisation requirement further delayed to late 2026

The European Union has long been planning to implement the European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS, an electronic travel authorisation for Singaporeans and citizens of other visa-exempt countries. This is conceptually similar to the ESTA or K-ETA required by the USA and South Korea respectively.

ETIAS has been beset by delays, however. Originally set to be introduced in early 2022, the date has slipped repeatedly, with the most recent launch set for May 2025.

Well, if you’re planning a trip to Europe this year, here’s some good news: ETIAS has been delayed yet again, with the EU now targeting a launch date of late 2026.

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.

-ETIAS website

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation that allows the holder to enter the 30 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It is valid for multiple entries.

ETIAS will expire at the end of a three-year period, or when your passport expires, whichever happens sooner. Since an ETIAS is tied to your passport number, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS should you lose or damage your existing passport. 

Most ETIAS applications should be processed within minutes, but can take up to four days (or even longer if additional documentation is required, or if you’re invited to an interview).

Who needs an ETIAS?

You will require an ETIAS travel authorisation if you:

• Are not an EU national
• Do not have a residence permit/card/document issued by any of the European countries requiring ETIAS
• Are a citizen of a country under the visa waiver programme

Singaporeans, as citizens of visa-waiver countries, will require an ETIAS when they travel to Schengen countries. The full list of visa-waiver countries can be found below.

An ETIAS is required for each member of the travelling party, regardless of age. However, application fees will be waived for those under 18 or over 70 (see below). 

An ETIAS will not be required if you are only transiting through a European airport (and remain in the international transit area), en route to another destination.

However, if you’re travelling on separate tickets, then it’s very likely that the first airline will request an ETIAS, for the simple reason that they don’t want to be on the hook for the cost of repatriating you should anything go wrong. 

You do not need to have confirmed travel plans to apply for an ETIAS. During the application process, you will be asked to indicate the first country you intend to stay in, but you can subsequently change your plans after approval and travel to any of the 30 European countries participating in ETIAS.

Which countries can you visit with ETIAS?

A total of 30 European countries are participating in ETIAS.

Notable European countries where ETIAS will not be required include Ireland, Turkey, and of course, the United Kingdom. 

How much does an ETIAS cost?

The application fee for an ETIAS will cost €7 (~S$10).

Anyone aged under 18 or over 70 at the time of application will not be required to pay for an ETIAS, though they must still apply for one.

Therefore, if you have a 17-year old child, it would make sense to apply for an ETIAS just before their 18th birthday, to cover them for unlimited trips until the age of 21 at no cost.

2026 or 2027?

While the EU is hoping to finally launch ETIAS in late 2026, you might not even need to apply for one till 2027.

That’s because the launch of ETIAS will be followed by:

1. a transitional period of at least six months, during which travellers without ETIAS will still be permitted entry, so long as they fulfil all other entry conditions
2. a further grace period of another six months, during which travellers coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed to enter without an ETIAS, so long as they fulfil all other entry conditions

Further FAQs and official website

Further FAQs about the ETIAS scheme can be found here.

When the system does eventually go live, you can apply via this link. As with every electronic travel authorisation scheme, there will inevitably be a ton of copycat websites designed to look like the real deal. At best, these will help you apply for a legitimate ETIAS, but charge a stiff markup. At worst, they might flat out scam you. 

To be safe, always apply on the official website. 

Conclusion

ETIAS seems to be stuck in an endless cycle of delays, but that’s good news for travellers, who get to avoid the red tape for the rest of 2025.

However, at some point in the future, ETIAS will come into force and Singaporeans will need to pay an extra €7 per traveller, except for those below 18 or over 70. When that happens, keep in mind that you may still need an ETIAS if you’re travelling on separate tickets with a stop in a Schengen country- such as flying home from the UK via Amsterdam or Paris to avoid the exorbitant Air Passenger Duty.