SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

Do Australians need ETIAS?

Yes

Yes. Australian citizens are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Australians will need an ETIAS authorisation to travel to Europe.

Needs ETIAS?
Yes
Cost
€20
Validity
3 yrs
From
Q4 2026

Australians enjoy visa-free short stays across the Schengen area, and that status is the reason ETIAS will apply to them. ETIAS is a fast online authorisation rather than a visa, linked electronically to your passport.

Because many Australians combine a European trip with travel elsewhere, it is worth remembering that ETIAS covers entry to the Schengen countries and a handful of others - and the 90/180 day count keeps running regardless of which member state you are in.

Bilateral agreements and the long-stay trap

Australia has bilateral visa-waiver agreements with several individual Schengen countries that pre-date the Schengen Convention, and some Australians use them to argue for time in one country beyond the standard 90 days. These are country-by-country and legally complicated - the safer assumption is that the 90/180 rule applies everywhere. Your Australian passport must be valid for at least three months past your departure date and issued within the previous 10 years.

How Australians will apply

When ETIAS launches, Australians will apply online on the official EU portal, pay €20 (free under 18 or over 70), and receive an authorisation linked to their passport for up to 3 years. It is not a visa - see what ETIAS is and how it differs from a visa.

ETIAS gets Australians to the border; it does not extend the stay. Check how many days are left with the free 90/180 calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Do Australians need ETIAS?

Yes. Australian citizens are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Australians will need an ETIAS authorisation to travel to Europe.

How much will ETIAS cost Australians?

€20 per application, free for travellers under 18 or over 70. One authorisation lasts up to 3 years. See ETIAS cost.

When will Australians need ETIAS from?

From the launch of ETIAS, expected in the last quarter of 2026. No exact date is set yet - track it on the ETIAS start date page.

Does ETIAS change the 90-day limit for Australians?

No. ETIAS lets you travel, but the 90/180-day rule still caps short stays at 90 days in any 180. Plan it with the 90/180 calculator.

Sources