SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

When does ETIAS start?

Short answer

Last quarter of 2026

No exact start date has been announced. The EU has said it will give several months’ notice before ETIAS becomes mandatory. This page is updated as soon as that changes - last checked June 2026.

What we know right now

The European Commission and the official traveller portal both put ETIAS in the last quarter of 2026. Crucially, they have committed to announcing the precise date several months in advance, so there will be no overnight switch-on that catches travellers unprepared.

Until that announcement, ETIAS is not required for any trip. You cannot apply yet, and no legitimate service can apply on your behalf early. When the date is set, applying will take minutes on the official portal and cost €20.

Why the date keeps moving

ETIAS does not launch in isolation. It comes after the Entry/Exit System (EES) - the biometric border system that became fully operational in April 2026. ETIAS is deliberately sequenced to follow once EES is stable across all external borders, which is why its timeline has shifted in step with the EES rollout rather than for reasons specific to ETIAS itself. See how EES and ETIAS fit together.

Planning a trip around the launch window? The start date does not change the 90/180-day limit. Map your days now with the free 90/180 calculator and read the full ETIAS guide.

Frequently asked questions

When does ETIAS start?

ETIAS is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026. As of June 2026, the European Union has notannounced an exact start date and has said it will give several months’ notice before launch.

Is ETIAS mandatory yet?

No. Until ETIAS launches, no traveller needs it and no action is required. You cannot apply early, and you do not need it for any trip before the start date. Anyone telling you to “register now” is not the official EU service.

Will there be a grace period?

Previous EU planning has described a transitional period after launch, during which first-time travellers without ETIAS can still be admitted while the system beds in. Exact transitional rules are confirmed closer to launch - we will reflect them here when they are official.

Why has ETIAS been delayed so many times?

ETIAS is sequenced after the Entry/Exit System (EES), which became fully operational in April 2026. ETIAS follows once EES is stable, which is why its timeline has shifted with the EES rollout rather than on its own.

Sources