Do I need the ETIAS travel authorization to travel to Europe in 2025? 

Author: Anna Lorrain
Date: 20/03/2025

ETIAS and EES – some new regulations were expected in 2025 for travelers from third countries to Europe. However, the European Union has now communicated the latest updates. The ETIAS travel authorization will no longer be introduced in 2025, but the Entry-Exit System (EES) will start in October 2025! Find out in this article what these new systems entail and what travel regulations third-country nationals will need to follow when traveling to Europe in the future.

Table of Contents:

ETIAS: Travel authorization postponed to the end of 2026

The new EU travel authorization system called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will no longer be introduced in 2025. According to the latest information, the EU now expects a start in the last quarter of 2026 – that is, in October, November, or December 2026. This means that the implementation of the travel authorization has been postponed once again. ETIAS is comparable to the ESTA travel authorization (for the USA) or ETA (for the United Kingdom).

Visa-free travelers to Europe will be pleased, as this requirement will not apply until the end of 2026. This means that nationals of approximately 60 visa-exempt countries can continue to travel to Schengen countries for short stays with only their passport. Once the ETIAS system comes into effect in 2026, this group of travelers will need to present an ETIAS authorization in addition to their passport.

Good to know: ETIAS is exclusively for citizens of visa-exempt third countries. ETIAS is not a visa, and its introduction does not change the visa-free status of these travelers! If you want to understand the difference between ETIAS and a Schengen visa, check out our detailed article.

EES: Entry-Exit System launch still planned for 2025

The new Schengen-wide Entry-Exit System (EES) was long awaited, but its implementation date remained uncertain. It was only clear that it would start around the same time as ETIAS. Now, the European Union has announced a date: October 2025 is the expected launch for EES. This means it will even start before ETIAS.

The Entry-Exit System is designed to record data (biographical and biometric data as well as entry and exit records) of all third-country nationals traveling to the Schengen Area for short stays. This applies whether you enter with a Schengen visa or under a visa-free status. Starting in October 2025, all third-country travelers to Europe will need to register in the new EES IT system.

Good to know: This system will be applied at the entry of all EU member states (except Cyprus and Ireland), as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Everything you need to know about the new EU Entry-Exit System can be found in our detailed article.

What will change for third-country travelers to Europe

  • Visa-free travelers (no Schengen visa required for short stays)

Visa-free travelers (such as nationals of the USA, Japan, or Israel) will need to register their data in the new EES IT system starting in October 2025 whenever they cross an EU external border. From the end of 2026, they will also need to apply for the ETIAS travel authorization before traveling to the Schengen Area.

  • Visa-required travelers (Schengen visa necessary)

Visa-required travelers (such as those from India, Turkey, or Thailand) will need to register their data in the EES IT system when crossing an EU external border from October 2025. Other than that, nothing changes: they must still apply for a Schengen visa before traveling to Germany or other Schengen countries.

How Will ETIAS and EES Work Exactly?

1. How ETIAS Will Work

Applications for the ETIAS travel authorization will be submitted online, cost 7 euros, and will generally be valid for three years (or until the expiration of the travel document registered during the application). The application is made through the official ETIAS website or the mobile app. To apply for ETIAS, you will need to provide the following information:

  • A valid passport
  • Email address
  • Debit or credit card to pay the application fee
  • First and last name, date of birth, and residence
  • Phone number

At the end of the application, you will need to answer a few questions, including security and health-related questions. In most cases, the application review takes only a few minutes. You will receive your ETIAS by email, no later than 96 hours after submission.

2. How the EES Will Work!

Non-EU citizens will likely have to register at a self-service terminal upon border crossing. There, they will scan their passport (which must be biometric) whenever they cross an EU external border. Additionally, they will need to provide additional information:

  • Passport details
  • Personal identity information
  • Biometric data
  • Entry and exit dates

Afterward, travelers proceed to border control, where officers will already have access to their EES data. This will streamline the process at border control. However, the officer may still ask additional questions about the traveler's entry and will ultimately decide on their admission.

Do I Need Travel Health Insurance for ETIAS?

Third-country nationals traveling to Europe visa-free with an ETIAS from the end of 2026 are exempt from the requirement to have health insurance. However, the Foreign Office strongly recommends travel health insurance, as high costs may arise in the event of illness, accident, or repatriation, which could be a financial burden for you or your family.

If you purchase a travel insurance policy that covers all Schengen countries, it will cover the costs of medical treatments, hospital stays, or repatriation in case of illness or death—all for a reasonable price.

The situation is different for travelers who require a Schengen visa. They must provide proof of Schengen-wide travel health insurance (also known as "incoming insurance") when applying for their visa. If this requirement is not met, the visa application will be rejected.

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