ETIAS Delayed to 2026: What Travelers to France Should Know

Updated June 5, 2025

The New Reality of France Travel

Starting sometime in late 2026, Americans heading to France will need to jump through one more hoop before takeoff. The European Union is rolling out something called ETIAS, and it's going to affect pretty much everyone who currently travels to Europe without a visa.

If you've ever applied for permission to visit the U.S. through ESTA, this will feel familiar. Europe is essentially copying that system.

What ETIAS Actually Is

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System, though honestly, the acronym matters less than what it does. Before you can board a plane to Europe, you'll need to fill out an online form, pay a small fee, and get approved.

The system covers 30 European countries, so one approval gets you access to France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the rest of the usual suspects. You're still limited to 90 days within any six-month period, just like before.

When This All Starts

Here's where it gets a bit messy. ETIAS was supposed to launch years ago, but the EU keeps pushing back the date. Right now, they're saying late 2026, but don't be shocked if that changes again.

The good news is they promise to give several months of advance warning before flipping the switch. No need to panic or apply for anything yet.

Who Gets Hit With This

If you're American, Canadian, Australian, British, or from about 55 other countries that currently don't need visas for Europe, this applies to you. Basically, if you can currently show up in Paris with just your passport, you'll need ETIAS once it starts. For a complete breakdown of current requirements, check out our guide on Travel Requirements for France: What U.S. Citizens Need to Know for 2025.

The Application Process

The form asks for standard travel stuff: where you're going, where you're staying, what you do for work. They also want to know about your health and whether you've had any legal troubles. Most people get approved within a few days, though they give themselves up to 96 hours to decide.

Your passport needs to be relatively new (less than 10 years old) and can't expire within three months of when you plan to leave Europe. Pretty standard requirements. Speaking of travel prep, our list of 10 Unexpected Travel Essentials for France covers other things you might not think to pack.

The Money Part

It costs €7 per person for anyone between 18-70. Some travelers get exemptions, but for most people, it's just another small travel expense to factor in.

How Long It Lasts

Once approved, your ETIAS authorization works for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can come and go as much as you want during that time, as long as you don't overstay the 90-day rule.

What Could Go Wrong

The main thing that trips people up is passport issues. If your passport is old, expires soon, or you renew it after getting ETIAS approval, you'll need to start over. The authorization is tied to your specific passport.

Also, if you've been denied visas before or traveled to certain conflict zones, expect extra scrutiny. The system flags these situations for human review.

Watch Out for Scams

Because ETIAS isn’t live yet, scammers are already taking advantage of the confusion. Fake websites are popping up claiming to help you apply, and some look official enough to fool people into giving up credit card details or personal information.

Don’t fall for it.
When the system does launch, there will be one official site:
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

Bookmark that link and ignore anything else. The real application will cost €7, and only travelers between ages 18 and 70 will need to pay. There’s no need to apply yet, and no one should be charging you anything today.

Preparing Now

Even though ETIAS won't start for a while, there are a few things worth checking. Look at your passport expiration date. If it expires in 2026 or early 2027, consider renewing it early to avoid timing headaches later.

Keep records of any international travel, especially to places that might raise security questions. The application will ask about recent trips.

What This Changes (And Doesn't)

ETIAS adds paperwork, but it doesn't fundamentally alter France travel. You'll still get 90 days visa-free, still move freely between European countries, still enjoy all the same tourist activities.

The bigger change is psychological. Europe is moving toward the American model of pre-screening visitors, which signals a shift in how they think about tourism and security.

The Practical Reality

Once ETIAS launches, airlines will check your approval before you board, just like they check passports now. Show up without it, and you're not getting on the plane. Border agents will also verify your status when you land. If you're flying into Paris, our Paris CDG Airport Tips for U.S. Travelers (2025) guide can help you navigate what to expect after landing.

This means applying last-minute won't work. You'll need to build ETIAS into your trip planning, applying at least a week before departure to account for processing time and potential hiccups. If you're traveling with kids, planning becomes even more important. Our guide on The Best Way to Prepare Kids for your France Trip covers books and activities to get them excited about the journey, while our Best Travel Gear for Kids in France (Ages 5–12) guide helps you pack the right stuff to keep them comfortable.

Looking Ahead

ETIAS reflects a broader trend toward digitized travel systems. Australia has something similar, Canada is working on one, and more countries will likely follow. The €7 fee and online form will eventually feel as routine as checking in for flights.

The EU has delayed ETIAS multiple times, prioritizing getting it right over meeting deadlines. When it does launch, the system should work smoothly from day one.

Since ETIAS timelines keep shifting, it's worth staying informed about the latest updates. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest France travel news and requirements delivered straight to your inbox.

Bottom Line

ETIAS adds a step to France travel without fundamentally changing the experience. It's more bureaucracy, but manageable bureaucracy. The key is staying informed about the launch timeline and not leaving applications until the last minute.

For now, keep planning your France trips as usual. When ETIAS finally arrives, you'll have plenty of time to adapt.