France Visa Requirements 2026: Do You Need a Visa to Visit France? – France receives over 100 million international visitors each year, and the majority enter without a visa.
If you hold a US, UK, or EU passport, you can travel to France visa-free for short stays — but the specific rules, documentation, and entry conditions vary by nationality.
This guide covers every scenario so you can confirm your requirements before you book.
Before your trip, also read our guide to things to know before traveling to France — it covers customs expectations, tipping, language basics, and practical preparation beyond entry requirements.
Key Takeaways
- US and Canadian citizens can visit France visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- UK citizens retained the same 90-day visa-free access after Brexit, but passports are now stamped at the border
- EU and EEA citizens have free movement rights — no visa required, and a national ID card is sufficient
- ETIAS pre-travel authorization will apply to US, UK, and other visa-exempt visitors when it launches in the last quarter of 2026. The fee has been set at €20 (approximately $24 USD) per traveler aged 18–70, valid for three years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. As of June 2026, the system is not yet active and no action is required from travelers at this point.
- Overstaying the 90-day limit carries real consequences in France: fines ranging from €198 to €3,750, plus a re-entry ban of 6 months to 5 years across the entire Schengen Area (not just France). The ban is recorded in the Schengen Information System (SIS), meaning it applies to all 29 Schengen countries. With the Entry/Exit System (EES) now digitally logging every border crossing, overstays are flagged automatically — there is no grace period.
Do You Need a Visa for France? Quick Reference by Nationality
Whether a visa is required depends entirely on your passport.
The table below covers the most common visitor nationalities, along with a note on where the broader Schengen visa exemption list stands in 2026.
| Nationality | Visa Required? | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | No | 90 days | Schengen 90/180-day rule applies |
| UK | No | 90 days | Post-Brexit; passport stamped at border |
| EU / EEA | No | Unlimited | Free movement rights; national ID card sufficient |
| Canada | No | 90 days | Schengen rules apply |
| Australia | No | 90 days | Schengen rules apply |
| New Zealand | No | 90 days | Schengen rules apply |
| Japan | No | 90 days | Schengen rules apply |
| South Korea | No | 90 days | Schengen rules apply |
| Brazil | No | 90 days | Schengen rules apply |
| Mexico | No | 90 days | Schengen rules apply |
| India | Yes | Varies | Schengen visa required |
| China | Yes | Varies | Schengen visa required |
| All other nationalities | Check | — | Over 60 countries and territories hold Schengen visa exemptions as of 2026, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Georgia, Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Ukraine, and most Latin American and Pacific Island nations. Check the official EU visa policy tool or your country’s embassy for confirmation. |
France is part of the Schengen Area.
Your days in France count toward your total Schengen days — if you also visit Germany, Spain, or any other Schengen country on the same trip, those days count against the same 90-day limit.
As of 2026, the Schengen Area covers 29 countries, including Bulgaria and Romania which joined in 2024.
US Citizens: Visa-Free Entry to France
American travelers do not need a visa to enter France for tourism, family visits, or short business trips lasting up to 90 days.
This long-standing arrangement is reinforced by Schengen Area rules that apply across all 29 European countries currently in the Schengen Zone.
How the 90/180-Day Rule Works
The 90-day allowance operates within a rolling 180-day window — not per calendar year and not per country.
You can spend a maximum of 90 days inside the entire Schengen Area during any 180-day period.
Days in Germany, Italy, Spain, or any other Schengen country count toward the same total as days in France.
To calculate your remaining days, count backward 180 days from your planned entry date and add up all previous Schengen days that fall within that window.
Several free online calculators and apps can do this automatically — the European Commission also provides an official short-stay calculator at home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/border-crossing/short-stay-calculator_en.
Passport Requirements for US Travelers
Your US passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen Area — this is the official requirement confirmed by both the US State Department and the US Embassy in France as of 2026.
That said, some French consulates informally recommend 6 months of remaining validity as a practical buffer, particularly if your itinerary involves onward travel to non-Schengen countries.
Your passport should also have at least two blank pages available for entry and exit stamps.
If your passport expires within 6 months of your travel dates, renew it before booking anything non-refundable.
Processing times for US passport renewals vary by season.
Financial Proof at the Border
French border officers can ask you to demonstrate sufficient funds for your stay.
The general guidance is approximately €120 per day without pre-booked accommodation, or €65 per day with confirmed accommodation — these thresholds are consistent with broader Schengen standards and are enforced at the discretion of border officials.
Acceptable proof includes recent bank statements, a credit card statement showing available credit, or a letter of financial support from a sponsor.
You may also be asked to present:
- A return or onward travel ticket showing you plan to leave before the 90-day limit
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, rental confirmation, or host invitation)
- Travel health insurance (recommended but not legally required for US citizens under visa-free entry)
UK Citizens Post-Brexit: What Changed
British travelers can still visit France visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Brexit did not remove this right, but it changed several practical details that matter at the border.
Passport Stamps and Blank Pages
UK passports are now stamped at French border control on entry and exit.
This was not required before Brexit, when UK citizens moved through EU lanes with no stamping.
The stamp record is how French immigration tracks your Schengen allowance, so having blank pages in your passport is essential.
Your UK passport must meet two conditions to be valid for entry into France.
First, it must have been issued less than 10 years before your arrival date — this is the post-Brexit “10-year rule” enforced across all EU and Schengen countries (Ireland is the only exception).
If your passport was issued before September 2018, check the issue date carefully, as some older UK passports carried over extra months from a previous passport, making them look valid while technically exceeding the 10-year limit.
Second, it must have an expiry date at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen Area — the official requirement confirmed by the UK Government’s France travel advice.
The 6-month validity figure sometimes cited online applies to other destinations, not France or the broader Schengen Zone.
GHIC: UK Healthcare Coverage in France
UK travelers no longer benefit from the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
The replacement is the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which gives you access to medically necessary state healthcare in France on the same terms as French residents — including reduced costs or, in some cases, free treatment.
The GHIC covers the same scope as the old EHIC for EU travel and remains free to apply for through the NHS website.
Note that if you still hold a valid EHIC, it remains accepted in France until its expiry date.
The GHIC does not cover private healthcare, medical repatriation to the UK, non-urgent treatment that can wait until you return home, or additional accommodation and travel costs arising from illness.
Supplemental travel insurance is strongly recommended for comprehensive coverage.
Business and Professional Travel
UK citizens can attend meetings, conferences, and trade events in France under the visa-free allowance.
Taking up paid employment, providing consulting services for direct compensation, or any work that competes in the French labor market requires a work permit and is not permitted under visa-free entry.
EU and EEA Citizens: Free Movement Rights
Citizens of EU member states and EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) have the right of free movement within the EU.
EU and EEA nationals can enter France with a national identity card — no passport, no visa, no time limit on stays.
There is no 90-day restriction for EU/EEA nationals.
Swiss nationals benefit from a separate bilateral free movement arrangement with France and the EU — specifically the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), originally signed in 1999 and in force since 2002.
This gives Swiss citizens broadly equivalent free movement rights, including the right to enter, reside, and work in France.
In March 2026, Switzerland and the EU signed the “Bilateral Agreements III” package, which updates (not replaces) the AFMP and aligns it more closely with EU Directive 2004/38/EC on residence rights.
However, the updated package still requires parliamentary ratification and a popular referendum in Switzerland — expected no earlier than 2027 or 2028 — so the existing free movement arrangement remains fully in effect for travel purposes in 2026.
The 90/180-Day Rule: Common Misconceptions
Once you understand your Schengen days, you can start planning the best things to do in France across your allowed window — but the 90/180-day rule trips up many visitors.
Three common mistakes:
- “I can stay 90 days, leave briefly, then return for another 90 days.” This only works if the days you spent in France fall outside the 180-day lookback window. A quick trip to the UK for a weekend does not reset your Schengen counter — those France days still count.
- “The 90-day limit resets each January.” The window is always a rolling 180 days, not a calendar year. There is no annual reset.
- “Days in France only count for France’s quota.” The 90-day limit is Schengen-wide. A week in Barcelona, four days in Amsterdam, and two weeks in Paris all draw from the same 90-day total.
Bonus note for US, Canadian, and New Zealand citizens: Under pre-Schengen bilateral treaties, these nationalities technically have the right to remain in France specifically for an additional 90 days after exhausting the standard Schengen 90/180-day allowance — but only if those additional days are spent in France alone.
This is a little-known provision and border officers may be unfamiliar with it; if you intend to use it, carry documentation and be prepared to explain it clearly at the border.
Overstay Consequences
Overstaying the 90-day limit is a serious immigration violation, and with the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) now digitally logging every border crossing since early 2026, overstays are flagged automatically — there is no grace period and no manual oversight gap to rely on.
Consequences in France can include:
- Fines ranging from €198 to €3,750 depending on the severity and duration of the overstay — a standard administrative fine of €198 applies at exit for minor overstays, while more serious violations can reach the upper range
- Detention and questioning at border control on departure
- Entry ban of 1 to 5 years across all 29 Schengen countries, recorded in the Schengen Information System (SIS): typically 1–3 years for a first-time or short overstay, and up to 5 years for repeated or extended violations
- Complications obtaining future European visas or travel authorizations, including ETIAS once it launches
If you realize you are approaching the limit, contact the local French prefecture before you overstay — not after.
Prefecture offices can advise on legal extension options in exceptional circumstances such as medical emergencies, and documented proof of those circumstances can significantly affect how your case is treated at the border.
Entry Documentation Checklist
Regardless of nationality, having these documents accessible will make border entry straightforward.
Officers have discretion to request any of them at any time.
Required for all visitors:
- Valid passport (EU/EEA nationals: national ID card is also sufficient)
Frequently requested at border control:
- Return or onward ticket proving you plan to leave within the visa-free period
- Proof of accommodation for at least the first night (hotel confirmation, rental booking, or host invitation)
- Evidence of sufficient funds (bank statement, credit card, or cash)
Recommended:
- Travel health insurance documentation
- Your accommodation contact details in France
- A copy of your travel itinerary
For a full breakdown of daily costs in France — including the financial amounts border officers expect to see — see our guide to traveling to France on a budget.
Long-Term Visas: Staying More Than 90 Days
If you want to remain in France beyond the 90-day visa-free window, you need a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour).
The type depends on your purpose, and in most cases you’ll be applying for the specific VLS-TS (Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour) — a long-stay visa that doubles as a temporary residence permit during your first year.
Student Visa
Required for studying at a French university or language school for longer than 90 days.
Core requirements include:
- Acceptance letter from a recognized French educational institution
- Proof of financial means — a minimum of €615 per month for the duration of your studies (approximately €7,380 for a full academic year); consulates in high cost-of-living areas like Paris may informally expect closer to €1,000/month
- Health insurance covering your entire stay in France, with a minimum coverage of €30,000
- Proof of accommodation for at least the first three months
The application process follows this order: If you are from one of 40+ countries (most African, Asian, and Latin American nations), you must first complete the Études en France (EEF) procedure through the Campus France portal at your local Campus France office — this includes uploading academic documents, paying a processing fee of typically €50–€80, and attending an interview.
You then apply for your VLS-TS visa via france-visas.gouv.fr and submit biometrics through a VFS Global centre.
Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks on average once your full file is submitted, but the Campus France pre-procedure alone can add 2–3 weeks.
Allow at least 3 months total and do not book non-refundable flights until approval is confirmed.
After arriving in France, you must validate your VLS-TS online within the first three months at the French immigration services portal.
Work Visa
France offers several work visa categories.
Most require a confirmed job offer or employment contract from a French employer — the employer typically handles the initial autorisation de travail (work authorization) request before you apply at the consulate.
- Talent Passport (Passeport Talent): For highly skilled workers, researchers, artists, startup founders, and entrepreneurs. Issued for up to 4 years, renewable. As of 2026, the qualified employee category requires a gross annual salary of at least €39,582 (updated by decree in August 2025), plus a master’s degree or equivalent. Investor category requires a minimum income of €300,000/year. Processing typically takes around 8 weeks.
- Employer-Seconded Visa: For staff of international companies assigned to a French office.
- Seasonal Worker Visa: For agricultural and hospitality positions during peak seasons.
Family Reunification Visa
If a close family member legally resides in France, you may qualify for a family reunification visa.
Required documentation includes certified marriage certificates, birth certificates, and proof of your sponsor’s legal French residence status.
These visas require the sponsor to meet minimum income and housing requirements.
Converting a Long-Stay Visa to a Residence Permit
If you plan to stay longer than 12 months, you will generally need to convert your long-stay visa into a residence permit (titre de séjour) after arrival.
Apply at your local prefecture within the first year of your stay.
When to apply also depends on your plans — choosing the right dates matters as much as having the right documents.
See the best time to visit France for how seasons, university enrollment cycles, and visa appointment availability at French consulates align.
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ETIAS: Pre-Travel Authorization for Visa-Exempt Visitors
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is a pre-travel authorization system being implemented across the Schengen Area.
Once active, travelers from visa-exempt countries — including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia — will need to obtain ETIAS approval before boarding a flight or ferry to France or any other Schengen country.
ETIAS covers 30 European countries in total, including all 29 Schengen members plus additional associated states like Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican.
ETIAS is not a visa. It is an electronic travel authorization, similar to the US ESTA or Australian ETA.
You still cannot stay more than 90 days in a rolling 180-day period once ETIAS is in place.
As of June 2026, ETIAS is not yet active. The official EU ETIAS website confirms that the system will start operations in the last quarter of 2026, with a transition period before it becomes fully mandatory — expected around April 2027.
No action is required from travelers right now.
The EU will announce the exact go-live date in advance.
Key ETIAS details (confirmed for launch):
- Application: Online only via the official ETIAS website or mobile app, estimated 10 minutes to complete — only a valid passport is required
- Cost: €20 (approximately $22 USD) for applicants aged 18–70; free for travelers under 18, over 70, and certain family members of EU citizens. Note: the original fee of €7 was officially raised to €20 by EU decree in July 2025.
- Processing time: Most applications approved within minutes; up to 96 hours in cases requiring additional review; up to 30 days in exceptional circumstances
- Validity: 3 years, or until passport expiry — whichever comes first; if you get a new passport, you need a new ETIAS
- Multiple trips: Yes, unlimited entries permitted within the validity period, subject to the 90/180-day rule each time
- Transit: Required even for airport layovers in ETIAS-covered countries
Once ETIAS launches, traveling without it will result in denial of boarding.
Airlines will be legally required to verify ETIAS status at check-in before departure.
Use the GetOutTrip AI Travel Visa Requirements Checker to confirm what entry authorizations are currently required for your specific passport nationality.
Business Travel to France
Short-term professional activities are permitted under the visa-free allowance for US, UK, and other exempt nationalities.
Permitted without a work permit:
- Attending meetings, conferences, trade shows, or professional events
- Negotiating contracts (not signing employment agreements as a local employee)
- Training at a parent company’s French office or subsidiary
- Conducting research or short consultancy visits where payment comes from abroad
Activities requiring a work authorization include taking up paid employment in France, providing services directly to French clients for French-sourced compensation, or activities that compete in the French labor market.
For business visits, carry an invitation letter from your French host company specifying the dates, purpose, and professional nature of your visit.
This is not a strict legal requirement for visa-exempt travelers, but it significantly simplifies border entry if you are questioned.
Also bring conference registration confirmations, event invitations, or company letters as appropriate.
Health and Medical Requirements For Traveling to France
France has no mandatory vaccination requirements for entry from most countries as of 2026.
All COVID-19 travel restrictions were formally lifted on 1 August 2022 by the French Ministry of the Interior, and no new health entry requirements have since been introduced.
There is one exception: travelers arriving from yellow fever endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa or tropical South America may be required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate — this applies primarily to French Guiana entry as a domestic French territory, and is worth verifying for travelers with recent itineraries through affected regions.
There is no health pass, no PCR test requirement, and no vaccination certificate requirement for entry.
Travelers who encounter older guidance online stating otherwise are reading outdated information from France’s 2021–2022 COVID-era travel rules, which no longer apply.
Travel Health Insurance
For travelers applying for a Schengen visa, travel insurance with a minimum of €30,000 (approximately $32,000 USD) in medical coverage is a formal mandatory requirement.
The policy must cover all 29 Schengen member states (not just France), include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, carry no gaps in coverage relative to your travel dates, and span the full duration of your stay.
For visa-exempt travelers (US, UK, Canadians), travel insurance is strongly recommended but not legally required at the border.
Medical care in France is excellent but expensive without coverage.
Emergency treatment, hospitalization, or medical evacuation can cost thousands of euros.
A standard travel insurance policy covering emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, and trip cancellation provides adequate protection for most travelers.
Prescription Medications
France has specific regulations on controlled substances and narcotics.
If you travel with prescription medications:
- Carry your original prescription or a signed letter from your prescribing physician on official letterhead; if your treatment duration exceeds 3 months, presenting the prescription to French customs is mandatory
- Keep all medications in their original labeled packaging — clearly labeled bottles help avoid delays at customs
- For narcotic and psychotropic substances (opioids, benzodiazepines, ADHD stimulants such as Adderall, and similar controlled medications): quantities must not exceed one month of personal therapeutic use as prescribed; you must carry the original valid prescription and may only import them as personal carry-on baggage — postal importation is not permitted
- Note that some medications that are legal and commonly prescribed in the US, UK, or Canada are classified as controlled or even illegal in France — check with the French customs authority (Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects) or your embassy before travel if you are unsure about a specific medication
EU and EEA travelers should carry their EHIC or national health card.
UK travelers should carry their GHIC.
What to Expect at French Border Control
France has several major international entry points: Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly airports near Paris, Nice Côte d’Azur, Lyon Saint-Exupéry, and the Eurostar and Channel ferry crossing points.
For EU/EEA passport or ID card holders: Use the EU/EEA lanes (usually marked green or EU).
Processing takes seconds.
For US, UK, and other nationalities: Use the non-EU lanes.
An immigration officer will check your passport, may ask about your trip purpose and planned length of stay, and will stamp your passport on entry.
Keep your return ticket and accommodation details accessible at the gate — not packed away in checked luggage.
Standard questions immigration officers ask:
- What is the purpose of your visit? (Tourism, business, visiting family)
- How long will you stay?
- Where are you staying? (Hotel name or address)
- Do you have a return ticket?
Answer clearly and concisely.
Having your documentation ready to support your answers speeds up the process significantly.
Customs declarations: France follows standard EU customs rules.
Declare items above duty-free allowances, prohibited items (certain foods, plants, and animal products from outside the EU), cash above €10,000, and any items for commercial use.
Common prohibited items include certain meats, dairy, and plant products from outside the EU, counterfeit goods, and unauthorized prescription medications.
Once you are through, our guide to getting around France covers your transport options from every major airport and arrival point throughout the country.
Visa Application Process for Long-Stay Visas
If a long-stay visa is required for your situation, the application process follows a standard structure regardless of which category applies.
As of February 20, 2026, France has moved to a fully digital, mandatory online system — walk-ins, phone bookings, and email requests to consulates are no longer accepted under any circumstances.
Step 1: Determine Your Visa Type and Requirements
The official and authoritative starting point for all French visa applications is france-visas.gouv.fr — the French government’s centralized portal for both short-stay and long-stay visa applications.
Begin with the Visa Wizard tool on that site, which will identify the correct visa category for your situation (student, work, family reunification, etc.) and generate a tailored document checklist based on your nationality and purpose of stay.
Individual French consulate websites (e.g., us.diplomatie.gouv.fr for US-based applicants, uk.diplomatie.gouv.fr for UK-based applicants) may carry supplementary local guidance, but france-visas.gouv.fr is the single authoritative source and the only platform through which you can legally book an appointment.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Standard requirements across most long-stay categories:
- Valid passport (expiry well beyond your intended stay)
- Completed visa application form
- Two recent passport photos (35×45mm, neutral gray or white background, neutral expression, full face and shoulders visible)
- Proof of accommodation in France
- Proof of sufficient financial means
- Category-specific documents (acceptance letter, employment contract, relationship certificates, etc.)
Documents not in French or English typically require certified translation by an accredited translator.
Step 3: Book Your Consulate Appointment
Book through the French consulate serving your region of residence.
Appointment availability at high-volume consulates (New York, Los Angeles, London) fills up several weeks in advance.
Begin this process 4–6 months before your intended departure date.
Do not book non-refundable flights until your visa is approved.
Step 4: Attend the Appointment and Provide Biometrics
Most applicants provide fingerprints and a digital photograph at their appointment.
This biometric data is linked electronically to your visa.
Standard processing time is 2–3 months, though this varies by consulate and application volume.
Plan Your France Trip with AI Tools
The GetOutTrip AI Travel Checklist Before Departure generates a personalized pre-trip checklist covering documents, packing, visa requirements, and arrival logistics based on your nationality and destination.
Once your entry is confirmed, use the AI Itinerary Planner to build a day-by-day France itinerary matched to your travel dates, interests, and budget.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoiding these errors will save you from stress at the border, wasted money on non-refundable bookings, or far worse — a multi-year Schengen entry ban.
Most of them come down to either not checking early enough or relying on outdated information online.
- Checking passport validity too late. Many travelers discover their passport expires within 3 months of their trip only when checking in at the airport. Check validity and blank pages well before booking. UK travelers must also verify the issue date — passports issued more than 10 years before your arrival in France will be refused at the border, even if the expiry date looks fine.
- Misunderstanding the 90-day window. The 90 days is Schengen-wide and rolling — not per country and not per calendar year. If you visit multiple Schengen countries in one trip, all days count toward the same limit. Use the official European Commission short-stay calculator at home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/border-crossing/short-stay-calculator_en before planning multi-country itineraries.
- Following outdated COVID-19 entry guidance. France dropped all COVID-19 entry requirements on 1 August 2022, and no new health entry requirements have been introduced for 2026. No PCR tests, no health passes, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. If you find a source still listing these requirements, it is outdated.
- Not accounting for ETIAS once it launches. ETIAS is confirmed to launch in the last quarter of 2026, with full enforcement expected from approximately April 2027. It is not yet in force as of June 2026, so no action is currently required — but it is worth adding to your pre-trip checklist now. Once active, traveling without prior ETIAS authorization will result in denial of boarding by airlines at check-in. The fee at launch will be €20 per traveler aged 18–70.
- Overstaying accidentally on multi-country trips. Three weeks in Spain followed by two weeks in France and five days in Italy uses 40 Schengen days in one trip. This is well within the 90-day limit, but it adds up faster on longer multi-country itineraries. With the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) now digitally logging every border crossing, overstays are flagged automatically — there is no grace period and no margin for error. Track your days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No. US citizens can enter France visa-free for tourism, business, or family visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
No advance application or authorization is currently required.
ETIAS will change this once launched — the system is confirmed for the last quarter of 2026, with full mandatory enforcement expected around April 2027.
The fee will be €20 per applicant aged 18–70, valid for 3 years.
As of June 2026, no action is required.
Up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
This limit is Schengen-wide — days spent in Germany, Spain, Italy, or any other Schengen country count toward the same total.
For US citizens: a valid passport, return ticket, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient funds.
These are not always checked, but you should carry them.
For EU and EEA nationals, a national ID card alone is sufficient.
Not under the visa-free allowance.
To remain longer, you must apply for a long-stay visa before your current permitted stay expires.
Contact the local prefecture if you have a genuine emergency — overstaying first and asking for an extension after is not a viable approach.
UK citizens still visit visa-free for up to 90 days.
The key practical changes: passports are now stamped at the border (blank pages matter), the EHIC no longer applies (replaced by the GHIC for UK residents), and UK nationals use non-EU passport lanes at border control.
ETIAS is a pre-travel electronic authorization system being introduced for visitors from visa-exempt countries including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
It is not a visa — it is a quick online application costing €20 (the original €7 fee was officially raised by EU decree in July 2025), valid for 3 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first.
As of June 2026, ETIAS is not yet active — the EU has confirmed a launch in the last quarter of 2026, with full mandatory enforcement expected around April 2027.
No action is required from travelers right now.
A lifestyle and OOTD blogger, Kannaya Nareswari enjoys the small pleasures of cooking, traveling, and documenting ordinary events. She uses genuine storytelling to communicate her love of fashion, culinary explorations, and wanderlust. She is based between Bali and Bandung. She enjoys enjoying coffee at a secret café or experimenting with recipes in the kitchen when she's not traveling to new places or styling her most recent ensemble.
