SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

Do Colombians need ETIAS?

Yes

Yes. Colombian citizens are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Colombians will need an ETIAS authorisation to enter the Schengen area.

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

Colombia's citizens gained visa-free Schengen access in December 2015, and that relatively recent liberalisation is why ETIAS will apply to them. ETIAS is an online authorisation tied to your passport, not a visa.

ETIAS leaves the 90/180 limit unchanged for Colombians - it is a pre-travel step to complete before you fly, applied for online and approved for most travellers quickly.

A recent visa-free status

Colombia only secured visa-free travel to the Schengen area in 2015, so for many Colombians the visa-free era is itself fairly new - and ETIAS is the next step in that relationship. Your Colombian passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from Europe and issued within the previous 10 years.

How Colombians will apply

When ETIAS launches, Colombians 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 Colombians 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 Colombians need ETIAS?

Yes. Colombian citizens are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Colombians will need an ETIAS authorisation to enter the Schengen area.

How much will ETIAS cost Colombians?

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

When will Colombians 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 Colombians?

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.

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