08/18/2026
✈️A Quick European Travel Update You Need to Know ✈️
If you have a trip to Europe planned, or you’re thinking about booking one, I want to give you a quick update about something you may have heard about: ETIAS.
You may remember me talking about ETIAS before. The European Travel Information and Authorization System is a new electronic travel authorization that will eventually be required for visa-exempt travelers, including those traveling on U.S. and Canadian passports.
Well… Europe has pushed the launch date back AGAIN. The European Union has officially removed its late-2026 launch target, and there is currently no firm date for when ETIAS will begin. Officials are still hoping for sometime in 2027, but even that timeline is uncertain.
So, what does this mean if you're traveling to Europe? Right now, absolutely nothing needs to be done. ❤️
If you are a U.S. or Canadian passport holder traveling to Europe under the current visa-exemption rules, you do not need to apply for ETIAS, pay an ETIAS fee, or complete any online ETIAS paperwork at this time.
And I want to emphasize this because this is where travelers need to be careful:
🚨 ETIAS applications are NOT currently open. If you come across a website offering to process your ETIAS application or sell you an ETIAS authorization right now, don't do it. There are already third-party websites attempting to collect money from travelers for something that isn't even operational yet.
When ETIAS eventually launches, the current plan is for the fee to be approximately $25 for travelers ages 18–70, and an approved authorization will generally be valid for three years or until the passport it is linked to expires.
And when ETIAS does finally get a firm launch date, I'll be here to help you understand exactly what you need to do.
That's one of the reasons I love being a travel advisor. You don't have to keep up with every change in the travel world. That's my job. 💜
If you're planning Europe for 2026 or 2027 and have questions about entry requirements, passports, or anything else travel-related, send me a message. I'm happy to help you navigate it!