ETIAS travel authorisation (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a mandatory pre-travel authorization (not a visa) for travelers from visa-exempt countries entering 30 European countries for stays of up to 90 days. This requirement primarily applies to travelers from countries outside the EU. The system will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the exact start date still to be confirmed by the European Commission.

The World Tourism Alliance of Associations (WTAAA), in collaboration with ECTAA and Frontex, has prepared a comprehensive practical guide to the ETIAS system, designed specifically for tourism professionals.

All information is available at Preparing for Europe’s Digital Borders: The WTAAA Guide to ETIAS | WTAAA

 

Key Information for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators:

• Applications cannot be submitted as a group. Each traveler in the group must submit their own ETIAS application and sign the declaration. For organizers of MICE events and corporate travel, this represents a significant change in work procedures.
• Dual citizenship presents complications. An ETIAS authorization is electronically linked to a specific passport. If a client travels with a passport other than the one for which the authorization was issued, they will not be allowed to board the vehicle—even if they have a valid ETIAS authorization. This is precisely where experienced travel agencies can play a key role.
• You may have obligations as a carrier. If your travel agency owns or operates a vehicle used to transport non-EU nationals into the Schengen Area, it may have a legal obligation to register with the EU and verify the validity of passengers’ ETIAS authorizations before they board.
• The requirement will be phased in gradually, but preparations cannot be delayed. The ETIAS system will launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, and its implementation will be followed by a transition period. Your clients should be prepared before the system is fully implemented. In more complex cases, processing an application may take up to 30 days.
• A fee of 20 EUR per application (free for travelers under 18 and over 70, and for eligible family members of EU citizens).
• Valid for up to three years, allowing for multiple entries.
• Applications are processed within a few minutes in more than 95% of cases; in more complex cases, processing may take up to 30 days.
• Applications can only be submitted through the official EU website (europa.eu/etias) or the official ETIAS mobile app