Travel to Europe is becoming more technological but also more expensive. Starting from the second half of 2026, the European Commission will launch the ETIAS system – a mandatory electronic authorization for citizens of all visa-free countries, including Ukraine. Now, just taking a biometric passport and traveling will not be enough – you need to get a digital permit in advance.
What is ETIAS
The ETIAS system is not like a traditional visa – it is a system for checking travelers before they arrive. You fill out a form on the official EU portal, your data is automatically checked against international security databases, and the system issues a permit. In 95% of cases, the answer comes in a few minutes, but if there are additional questions, the process can take up to 4 days.The main goal of this new rule is to know exactly who is crossing the EU borders before the person even arrives at the border crossing point.
The cost: 20 euros per attempt
The cost of the permit is 20 euros for adults. Interestingly, the amount of 7 euros was discussed initially, but the final price was approved at a higher level.
An important detail: payment is made online by card, and this money is not returned. If you make a mistake in your last name or passport number, the application will be canceled. To correct the mistake, you will have to submit a new application and pay 20 euros again. Therefore, being as careful as possible when filling out the form is a way to save money.
Who is exempt from payment and registration?
The system has certain benefits and exceptions:
Age: Children under 18 years old and elderly people (over 70 years old) receive the permit for free.
Status: Those who already have a Schengen visa or a national visa (for example, a work visa) do not need to apply for ETIAS.
Temporary protection: Ukrainians who have official protection status in one of the EU countries can travel within the Schengen area without this authorization for the entire period their status is valid.
Validity period and entry rules
The permit you receive is valid for 3 years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first). During this time, the number of trips is unlimited. However, remember that ETIAS does not cancel the "90 days stay within 180 days" rule – the system will monitor this automatically.
In addition to the 27 Schengen countries, the permit will also be mandatory for travel to Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus.
Tips for travelers
Apply in advance. Do not wait for your flight day or bus departure. It is better to submit your application even before booking a hotel.
Check your passport. The document must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned return date home.
Attention is key. One mistake in a passport number could mean you are not allowed to cross the border, even if the system gave a positive response.
Overall, the introduction of ETIAS is part of a large digitalization of borders, along with the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will permanently remove stamps from passports, replacing them with biometric data.
