ETIAS, the EU’s online travel authorisation, has not launched as of October 2026, and no official start date has been announced. The EU says it will give notice several months ahead. ETIAS is meant for travellers from visa-exempt countries. Indian passport holders who need a Schengen visa follow the visa process and are not covered by ETIAS.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
News about ETIAS keeps changing, and many Indian travellers planning a Europe trip are unsure whether they need to do anything. Here is what is confirmed, what is not, and what it means for your booking.
Has ETIAS launched yet?
No. The European Union’s own guidance says it will announce a specific start date several months before ETIAS begins. At the time of writing, no such date has been published. Earlier EU guidance pointed to the last quarter of 2026, but a launch has not been confirmed and applications are not being accepted.
Because the EU has promised advance notice, you should not expect ETIAS to appear overnight. If a website offers to sell you an ETIAS authorisation today, treat it with caution. The EU says applications will be made on its official ETIAS website or app.
Do Indian citizens need ETIAS?
ETIAS is designed for nationals of visa-exempt countries, people who can currently enter the Schengen area without a visa for a short stay. It is an online travel authorisation, not a visa.
Indian citizens generally need a Schengen visa for short stays in Europe. That means ETIAS is not the document you apply for. You apply for the visa at the relevant consulate or visa application centre, exactly as before. If your visa is approved, you travel on the visa.
The rule in plain terms:
- Visa-exempt traveller: expected to need ETIAS once it starts.
- Indian passport holder who needs a Schengen visa: apply for the visa, not ETIAS.
If your case is unusual, for example you hold a residence document from a European country, check that country’s official guidance instead of guessing.
Which countries will ETIAS cover?
The EU says ETIAS will apply to travel to 30 European countries. This is the same broad group of countries many travellers think of as the Schengen area, and the official list will be published by the EU when the system is live. Check the official EU site for the list rather than relying on third-party summaries.
What happens when ETIAS does start?
The EU’s published plan describes a phased start, though the timings may be revised along with the launch date. For the first six months after launch, travellers can enter without an ETIAS authorisation as long as they meet all the other entry conditions. A further six-month period follows, during which first-time arrivals since the transitional period ended can still enter without one. After that, ETIAS will be required for travellers who need it.
The fee is a detail we are leaving out, because we could not confirm a figure from an official source that applies today. Wait for the official EU announcement.
What should Indian travellers do now?
Your plan does not need to change because of ETIAS. A practical checklist:
- Confirm whether you need a Schengen visa for your passport and trip purpose.
- Apply for the visa well before departure, since appointment availability varies by season.
- Book flights with a fare that lets you change dates if your visa timing is uncertain.
- Check the Entry/Exit System rules for your arrival airport, since EU border processes are also changing and some countries have said they need more time to run them at all borders.
It also helps to keep your booking flexible. Visa appointments, processing times and your own leave dates can all shift, so a fare that allows a date change can save money and stress later. Compare the fare family on offer before you pay, not only the headline price, and read what each one allows for changes and cancellations.
A small aviation touch: a flight from India to Europe is usually long enough that you will cross several time zones, so build a buffer day before any fixed commitment such as a hotel check-in, a tour or a business meeting.
Common Questions
Is ETIAS a visa?
No. The EU describes ETIAS as an online travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers. It is not a visa and does not replace one.
Can I apply for ETIAS now?
No. The system has not launched and the EU says no applications are being accepted. Apply only through the official EU channels once they are announced.
Will Indians with a Schengen visa need ETIAS as well?
The EU designs ETIAS for visa-exempt nationals, so a traveller who needs and holds a Schengen visa is not the target group. Check the official EU site if your situation is unusual.
Will ETIAS change how I book my flight?
Not today. ETIAS is not in force, so nothing about your flight booking needs to change because of it. Watch for the official EU announcement and any guidance from your airline closer to the launch.
Where will I find the official start date?
On the EU’s official ETIAS and travel-europe web pages. The EU has said it will announce the date several months in advance.
Is there a fee for ETIAS?
We have not stated a fee because we could not confirm a current official figure. Wait for the EU announcement, and avoid paying any website that quotes a price before launch.
Planning a Europe trip? Search and compare flights on HappyFares, set a price alert for your route, or ask Meera, our AI assistant, to find options. Domestic bookings carry zero convenience fee.
Entry rules and fees change often. Verify current requirements with the official EU ETIAS website, the relevant embassy, and your airline before you travel.
