SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

ETIAS requirements

ETIAS is designed to be quick. For most travellers it is a short online form with four things to hand - and most approvals come through in minutes.

What you need to apply

  1. 1

    A valid biometric passport

    Machine-readable, with at least three months' validity beyond your planned departure and issued within the last 10 years. ETIAS is linked to this exact passport.

  2. 2

    An email address

    Your approval and reference number arrive by email. Use an address you control and check - not a travel agent's.

  3. 3

    A payment card for the €20 fee

    A debit or credit card to pay €20 on the official portal. Free for applicants under 18 or over 70, but the application is still required.

  4. 4

    Trip and background details

    Your intended country of arrival, plus honest answers to security, health and immigration-history questions. Most applicants answer 'no' to all and are approved automatically.

Where to apply - and the €20 trap

ETIAS will be available only on the official EU portal, covering the 30 European countries that require it. The form is meant to be completed by the traveller directly; there is no document-gathering, no interview and no reason to pay an agent.

Search results will fill with copycat sites that mimic the official design and add a “service fee”. Some are harmless markups; others harvest your passport data. The rule is simple: only €20, only the official portal.

Meeting the ETIAS requirements does not change your day count. Confirm how long you can actually stay with the 90/180 calculator and compare ETIAS vs a Schengen visa.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to apply for ETIAS?

A valid biometric (machine-readable) passport, a working email address, a debit or credit card to pay the €20 fee, and the details of your trip. The online form also asks background questions about your health, criminal history and recent travel.

How long is an ETIAS approval valid?

Up to 3 years, or until your passport expires - whichever is first. Because it is tied to one passport, renewing your passport means applying again. See ETIAS cost.

How long does ETIAS take to be approved?

Most complete applications are expected to be approved within minutes. Some take longer if they need manual review - the EU advises applying well before you travel, not at the airport.

Does ETIAS guarantee I can enter?

No. ETIAS is permission to travel to the border. The border officer makes the final decision and can still check your purpose of travel, funds, return ticket and remaining 90/180 days.

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