New Travel requirement for Europe coming soon.

It is not a visa although invariably it is going to be called that!

ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation, not a visa. It’s a new requirement for Australians, New Zealanders (and travellers from 60+ visa-free countries) who want to visit parts of Europe for up to 90 days in any 180-day period — whether it’s for a holiday, business trip, or transit.

It is just like the ESTA for the U.S. or the eTA for Canada. It’s a quick online check that gives you the green light to travel.

Applying for ETIAS should be straightforward and done entirely online. Here’s what you need to know:

• Cost: €7 per person
  (but it’s free if you’re under 18 or over 70)
• Validity: 3 years, or until your passport expires
• What you’ll need: Basic personal details, your passport info, your travel plans, and a few security questions
• No fingerprints or medical info required
  

ETIAS will be required for travel to 30 European countries, including all Schengen Area nations plus Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus (because the Schengen zone and the EU are slightly different). 

So even if you’re just transiting through one of these countries (en route to Egypt for example), you’ll need to apply.

Also important: Airlines and other transport companies will check your ETIAS approval before you board. No ETIAS = no boarding pass. So don’t leave it to the last minute.

Before ETIAS goes live, the EU is rolling out the Entry/Exit System (EES) on 12 October 2025. This is the first big step.

Here’s what to expect:

• Fingerprints and a photo will be collected at EU external borders
• Border officials will start digitally recording entries and exits
• The system replaces manual passport stamping
• It helps track exactly how long non-EU travellers stay in the region

This change sets the stage for ETIAS and brings Europe in line with countries like Australia and the U.S. that already use digital border controls.