Australians have been warned that come 2026, they will have to say arrivederci to fee-free travel to Europe and instead will need to apply for a ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) visa waiver.  The ETIAS visa waiver program was originally set to be implemented in May 2023, but has been postponed multiple times. The new official launch date is the last quarter of 2026.

From 2026, visitors from 50+ nations, including Australia and New Zealand, will require an ETIAS to enter any of the Schengen area countries, including in transit. Initially, the ETIAS was set to cost €7, but since originally announced it has been increased to €20. So it will cost Aussies around $35 to obtain an ETIAS, which will be valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. 

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The Schengen area is a group of 27 European countries – including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain – which have officially abolished border controls and adopted common entry and exit requirements that allow visitors to move freely between them. Croatia is the most recent country to join the group.

Applications are all completed quickly online, via a largely automated IT system, and don’t require any biometric information. Most applications will be processed within minutes, although the EU has noted that “in very exceptional cases”, approvals could take up to a month. 

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What is an ETIAS?

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an electronic travel waiver program (not unlike the ESTA visa waiver program employed by the US) for non-EU nationals travelling to any of the 26 Schengen member countries.

How long is an ETIAS valid?

ETIAS visa waivers are valid for short-term stays (up to 90 days) and for business or leisure purposes. Once approved, an ETIAS can be used for up to three years or until the passport expires (whichever comes first.)

How do you get an ETIAS?

To apply for an ETIAS visa waiver, you will need a valid passport, an email address and a debit or credit card to pay the ETIAS processing fee of €20 (or approximately A$35). There’ll be no changes for those travellers who previously needed a visa to enter. 

Read more about ETIAS visa waivers here.

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