SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

Do Ukrainians need ETIAS?

Yes

Yes. Ukrainian citizens with a biometric passport are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Ukrainians will need an ETIAS authorisation for the Schengen area.

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

Ukraine gained visa-free Schengen access in June 2017 for holders of biometric passports, and that status is what places Ukrainians within ETIAS once it launches. ETIAS is a quick online authorisation linked to your passport, not a visa.

Ukraine is outside the Schengen area, so the 90/180 limit applies only to time spent inside Schengen. ETIAS authorises short visits; it does not affect any separate arrangements that may apply during exceptional circumstances.

Short-stay ETIAS versus temporary protection

ETIAS covers ordinary short visits of up to 90 days in 180 on a biometric Ukrainian passport. It is separate from the EU's temporary protection scheme for those displaced by the war, which provides longer-term residence rights through a different process. If you are travelling as a short-stay visitor, ETIAS is the relevant authorisation, and your biometric passport should be valid for at least three months beyond departure.

How Ukrainians will apply

When ETIAS launches, Ukrainians 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 Ukrainians 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 Ukrainians need ETIAS?

Yes. Ukrainian citizens with a biometric passport are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Ukrainians will need an ETIAS authorisation for the Schengen area.

How much will ETIAS cost Ukrainians?

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

When will Ukrainians 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 Ukrainians?

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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