ETIAS Requirements 2026 — Complete Checklist

To apply for ETIAS when it launches in Q4 2026, you need a valid biometric passport from an eligible country, an email address, a credit or debit card, and answers to personal, travel, and security questions. Most applications take under 10 minutes. Here is everything you need to know.

1. Passport Requirements

Your passport is the most important ETIAS requirement. It must meet all of the following:

• Biometric (e-passport) — must have the electronic chip symbol on the cover
• Valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area
• Issued within the last 10 years
• From an eligible country — see the full list of eligible nationalities

Your ETIAS is linked to your passport number. If you renew your passport after getting ETIAS, you must apply for a new ETIAS. Always travel with the same passport you used to apply.

2. Personal Information Required

You will need to provide the following personal details in your application:

• Full legal name — exactly as it appears on your passport
• Date and place of birth
• Gender
• Current nationality and any previous nationalities
• Current home address
• Email address — your authorization will be sent here
• Phone number
• Employment or student status, and employer/school details

3. Travel Information Required

You do not need confirmed bookings to apply, but you must provide:

• First country of entry into the Schengen Area
• Intended purpose of visit — tourism, business, transit, or medical
• First accommodation address in Europe (hotel, host, or other)
• Intended travel dates
• Travel history — previous visits to Schengen countries in the last 10 years
• Any previous visa refusals or entry denials to any country

4. Health and Security Declarations

ETIAS requires honest answers to background security and health questions. These are standard questions — the vast majority of travelers have no issues. You must disclose:

Security Questions

• Any criminal convictions in any country
• Any involvement in armed conflict, terrorism, or related organizations
• Any prior deportations or entry bans
• Any travel to conflict zones in the past 10 years

Health Questions

• Any communicable diseases listed by the WHO as a public health risk
• Any recent travel to areas with active health emergencies (if applicable at time of application)

Answer all questions honestly. Providing false information is grounds for immediate denial and can result in a travel ban.

5. Payment Requirements

The ETIAS application fee must be paid by credit or debit card during the online application. Accepted cards include Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

• Adults aged 18–69: €20 per person
• Under 18: Free — authorization still required
• Over 70: Free — authorization still required

The fee is non-refundable in all circumstances, including if your application is denied. Each person needs their own individual application — no group or family submissions.

Special Requirements for Minors

Children of all ages require ETIAS authorization. Additional requirements apply:

• Parental or legal guardian consent
• Parent or guardian’s name and contact information
• Proof of relationship if applying on behalf of a child (birth certificate or custody documents may be requested)
• No application fee for children under 18

Requirements for Over 70s

• Same documentation requirements as all other travelers
• No application fee
• Authorization is still required — the fee exemption does not mean ETIAS is optional

What Does NOT Make You Ineligible

Many travelers worry unnecessarily. The following do NOT automatically disqualify you:

• Minor traffic violations
• Old or spent convictions (depending on severity and country)
• Previous Schengen visa rejections — these must be disclosed but do not guarantee denial
• Travel to certain countries

ETIAS denials are expected to be rare — the system is modelled on the US ESTA which has a 97%+ approval rate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying with a passport that expires too soon — check the 3-month rule
• Using a nickname instead of your full legal name
• Providing an incorrect passport number
• Failing to disclose previous visa refusals
• Not disclosing previous nationalities
• Applying through a third-party site charging inflated fees