SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

Do New Zealanders need ETIAS?

Yes

Yes. New Zealand citizens are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches New Zealanders will need an ETIAS authorisation to enter Europe.

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

New Zealanders can travel to the Schengen area without a visa for short stays, which is exactly why ETIAS will apply. ETIAS is an online authorisation tied to your passport - not a visa, and not a substitute for meeting the 90/180 day limit.

For a country as far from Europe as New Zealand, where trips tend to be long, the day count matters: ETIAS lets you in, but it does not extend how long you may stay.

New Zealand's unusually broad bilateral network

New Zealand holds one of the most extensive sets of bilateral visa-waiver agreements with individual Schengen states, and some New Zealanders rely on them to spend additional time in specific countries on top of the 90/180 allowance. These agreements are real but country-specific and legally intricate, and the European Commission still treats 90/180 as the governing rule - check the exact terms for any country you plan a long stay in. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond departure and issued within the last 10 years.

How New Zealanders will apply

When ETIAS launches, New Zealanders 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 New Zealanders 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 New Zealanders need ETIAS?

Yes. New Zealand citizens are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches New Zealanders will need an ETIAS authorisation to enter Europe.

How much will ETIAS cost New Zealanders?

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

When will New Zealanders 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 New Zealanders?

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