Many many years ago now, the European Union (EU) announced a new electronic visa requirement for travelers from Canada, the United States, and 50+ other countries. Scheduled for 2021, then 2022, then 2023, then 2024, and finally for 2025… it has just been delayed again.
What a surprise! (**insert sarcasm here**)
The electronic visa is officially called ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorization System.
It hasn’t started yet, so obviously you don’t have to do anything. But many travelers who are more nervous were already asking us for more information.
Here’s what you need to know about the ETIAS.
What is the ETIAS (European Travel Authorization)?
The ETIAS is an electronic visa that will eventually be required to enter most European countries (not **all** EU countries and not **just** EU countries).
It’s so funny how many people are quick to say that “it’s a travel authorization, not an electronic visa.” It’s the same thing! You have to get authorization to enter the country, so it’s an electronic visa, regardless of the marketing spin by politicians and bureaucrats. It’s one of the more simple types of electronic visas, yes… but it’s an electronic visa.
On the other hand, what is really very sad is how many travelers don’t know the most basic thing, which is literally the only mandatory step for traveling: checking the rules of entry for countries. If you don’t do this for every single trip, read our guide on the topic (even the United States is changing some rules; post to come).
In short, the ETIAS will be very similar to the United Kingdom’s electronic travel authorization (UK ETA), which has already been in effect for several months for several travelers, including Canadians and Americans, who want to travel to the 4 constituent countries of the United Kingdom.
It is worth noting that Canada and the United States also require an electronic travel authorization for European citizens. So this new European requirement makes sense.
(However, reciprocity rules do not **always** make sense! The reality is that, whether we like it or not, different citizenships are not all worth the same **from a migration perspective**; facts never care about our feelings!)
What is the start date for the ETIAS (European Travel Authorization)?
The European authorities have just announced yet another postponement of the ETIAS.
The ETIAS should now come into effect in the last quarter of 2026. That means between October and December 2026.
So you can certainly relax about that for quite a while. Flytrippers will notify you of the exact dates and the exact step-by-step procedure to follow as soon as the information is released; join 100,000+ savvy travelers who receive all of our free content on how to become a better traveler.
That said, unlike most travel rules and requirements, there will apparently be a transition period. For the first 6 months, it wouldn’t even be really mandatory. So then we’ll be in 2027. And for another 6 months after that, there would be an exception for your first trip…
In short, this is all happening at the typical speed of government efficiency (the regulation was adopted in 2018).
Which countries will require the ETIAS (European Travel Authorization)?
The ETIAS will apply to 34 countries: 26 of the 27 countries of the European Union (all except Ireland) as well as the 8 other member countries of the Schengen Area (4 official and 4 de facto). You can read our post about Europe, the EU, the eurozone and the Schengen Area to become better informed.
Here is a map of the countries for which you will need to apply for ETIAS (this includes the island nation of Cyprus, which is not yet in the Schengen Area but will require ETIAS).
Here is the complete list of the 26 EU countries that will require the ETIAS:
- Portugal
- Spain
- France
- Italy
- Malta
- Austria
- Germany
- Luxembourg
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Finland
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Poland
- Czechia
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Cyprus
Here is the complete list of the 4 other official countries of the Schengen Area that will require the ETIAS:
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
Here is the complete list of the 4 other de facto countries of the Schengen Area that will require the ETIAS:
- Andorra
- Monaco
- San Marino
- Vatican
Do I need the ETIAS (European Travel Authorization)?
All travelers who want to enter the countries in question will need the ETIAS once the requirement is in effect.
This applies to entry by air, land, or sea.
However, the requirement will not apply to travelers in transit. The definition of transit remains to be determined. In the United Kingdom, some transits are excluded, but not all.
How do I get the ETIAS (European Travel Authorization)?
Electronic visas seem incredibly stressful for many travelers, for somewhat inexplicable reasons.
As always, it’s going to be excessively simple: you’ll just have to fill out an online form. There’s nothing complicated there.
The ETIAS is a European government rule, so unsurprisingly… you get the ETIAS on the European government website.
So many people get scammed by using the infamous “fake” visa websites; it’s almost incredible. Those services charge you extra to complete the visa application for you. They make inexperienced travelers think they’re on the official visa application website; that’s surprisingly easy to do with people who don’t know that the first results in Google are paid placements.
It’s a scam: you don’t need help. You’d simply be filling out a form on their website instead of filling it out on the right website. If you’re able to read this post today, you’re able to fill out the very basic form required for almost any visa in the world. Just always go to the official website; simple.
How long does it take to get the ETIAS (European Travel Authorization)?
The ETIAS will apparently be issued almost instantly for travelers who are not on file in the main databases.
As always, however, they reserve the right to take longer. Of course. It’s their country; they are never obliged to let anyone in.
They say it can occasionally take up to 30 days. The chances are that it won’t take any longer for 99% of travelers; more specifically, all travelers with nothing special in their profile.
Who will check my ETIAS (European Travel Authorization)?
As with almost all country entry requirements, if you are traveling by airplane, the airline will check that you are in order before you leave your original destination.
So you must have the ETIAS before you check in for your flight (not just when you arrive). Customs officers will usually check again on arrival.
What is the validity of the ETIAS (European Travel Authorization System)?
You can use the ETIAS for a period of 3 years, or until your passport is no longer valid if that happens before 3 years (so 3 months before its expiry for many countries).
You can use the ETIAS for multiple trips; you do not need to obtain a new authorization for each trip.
Once your ETIAS has expired, you can simply get a new one, assuming that this requirement still exists at that time.
What is the price of the ETIAS (European Travel Authorization)?
As of today, the expected price for ETIAS will be $8 (EUR 7).
Even if they still need ETIAS, travelers in 2 age groups will not need to pay:
- Under 18 years old
- 71 years old and over
What is the best credit card to use to pay for the ETIAS (European Travel Authorization)?
The best card to use to pay for any expense is always a card on which you are unlocking a huge welcome bonus. ALWAYS!!! So simple.
That way you’ll earn 10%+ back instead of the pathetically terrible 1%-2% most people sadly earn on their purchases.
Here are the effective return rates on your purchases with the current best offers.
| Best credit card offers (April 2025) |
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new  Valuation (BONUS)(≈ 8.8% back on $18k)
Rewards: ≈ $1590
Card fee: $0 $199
Spend required:$18k in 12 mos. (or $5k/$9k)
Best for: ≈ 8.8% back on $18,000 & simple points
 SIMPLE
80k/150k
limited time
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new Valuation (BONUS)(≈ 7.5% back on $10k)
Rewards: ≈ $750
Card fee: $0 $89
Spend required:$10k in 12 mos. (or $3k/$6k)
Best for: ≈ 7.5% back on $10,500 & simple points
SIMPLE
limited time
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Valuation (BONUS) (≈ 6.5% back on $10k)
Rewards: ≈ $1451
Card fee: $799
Spend required:$10k in 3 mos.
Best for: ≈ 6.5% back on $10,000 & unlimited lounges
 LUCRATIVE
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| Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
| Best credit card offers (April 2025) |
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION) |
Effective return rate |
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new 
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $18k in 12 mos. (or $5k/$9k for lower bonus)
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Rewards: ≈ $1590
Card fee: $0 $199
|
≈ 8.8% back
on $18,000
& simple points
|
limited time
|
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new 
|
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 12 mos. (or $3k/$6k for lower bonus)
|
Rewards: ≈ $750
Card fee: $0 $89
|
≈ 7.5% back
on $10,500
& simple points
|
limited time
|
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 3 mos.
|
Rewards: ≈ $1451
Card fee: $799
|
≈ 6.5% back
on $10,000
& unlimited lounges
|
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extended 
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $5k in 6 months
|
Rewards: $1025
Annual fee: $0 $139
|
20.5% back
on $5,000
& simple points
|
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 12 mos. (or $2k for lower bonus)
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Rewards: $775
Card fee: $120
|
≈ 8.7% back
on $7,500
& simple points
|
ends July 1st
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†
|
Rewards: ≈ $641
Annual fee: $0 $139
|
≈ 5.3% back
on $12,000
& lucrative pts
|
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $1k/mo for 12 mos.
|
Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250
|
≈ 7.8% back
on $12,000
& 8 lounge passes
|
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NEW 
|
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 14 mos. (or $3k for lower bonus)
|
Rewards: $1000
Card fee: $399
|
6.0% back
on $10.000
& 10 lounge passes
|
ends October 31st
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k
|
Rewards: ≈ $540
Card fee: $120
|
≈ 10.5% back
on $4,000
& lucrative pts
|
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NEW 
|
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $5k in 6 mos.
|
Rewards: ≈ $900
Card fee: $120
|
≈ 15.6% back
on $5,000
& lucrative pts
|
ends June 11th
apply now |
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Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
|
Rewards: ≈ $713
Card fee: $199
|
≈ 6.9% back
on $7,500
& lucrative pts
|
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| Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(The rate varies a bit depending on the merchant category code for each specific purchase, but it’s just to show you the overall return rate at our Flytrippers Valuation — and how it’s not even in the same universe as what you are probably earning!)
And if you end up paying the ETIAS fee with almost any card in Canada, you’re not even earning 1%-2%!
Because you’re paying a 2.5% foreign transaction fee as the ETIAS will most likely be billed in Euros!!!
That’s why you should always use your spending to unlock huge welcome bonuses — with the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card, you’re earning 20.5%, so that’s still an amazing 18% net earn rate even if you were to pay 2.5% in foreign transaction fees on 100% of the $5,000 minimum spending requirement (highly unlikely).
If you are not currently unlocking a huge welcome bonus, that’s a very bad idea, and you should really get started to earn free travel so much faster! But at the very least, get a free card with no foreign transaction fee — the EQ Bank Card (Prepaid Mastercard) is completely free and isn’t even a credit card (so no credit check), so every single Canadian traveler should have it with absolutely zero exceptions.
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Summary
The start date for the European Travel Authorization (ETIAS) has once again been postponed. It is now scheduled for the last quarter of 2026. So you obviously don’t need to do anything for a very long time. This guide will be updated as soon as anything official is known!
What would you like to know about the European Travel Authorization? Tell us in the comments below.
See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights
Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards
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Learn pro tricks: Travel tips
Featured image: Florence, Italy (photo credit: Ahmend Mansour)
