One of the most common questions regarding ETIAS is whether children will require the new visa waiver from 2026 . This article answers this query and provides information to help families prepare for the changes to European visa-waiver programme.
All non-EU citizens from visa waiver countries will soon need to apply for ETIAS before travelling to the Schengen Area. This also applies to minors.
The European Union’s ETIAS regulation defines a minor as “a third-country national or a stateless person below the age of 18 years” and makes it clear that children will not be exempt from the new visa waiver requirement.
Nationality, rather than age, is what determines who needs ETIAS to travel to Europe.
Continue reading to find out why the EU considers it necessary that children complete the ETIAS registration process and how a parent or guardian can apply on a minor’s behalf.
WHY DO CHILDREN NEED ETIAS?
To understand why the European Union requires that under 18s apply for ETIAS it is important to consider the reasons why a visa waiver is being introduced.
The main objective of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System is to boost security across the Schengen Area, by increasing control over who crosses the external borders.
The system works by cross-checking the data of individuals eligible for visa-free access across a series of international security databases, detecting potentially dangerous individuals before they make it to European territory. ETIAS is not a visa, it is a visa waiver for children and adults who do not need a visa for Europe.
Children make up a noteworthy proportion of the millions of non-EU citizens that cross the external Schengen Area borders each year, either alone or accompanied by an adult. To allow minors to enter European territory without undergoing background checks would leave a gap in the security system, providing an opportunity for those with malicious intent.
By making ETIAS mandatory for travellers regardless of their age, the public can enjoy peace of mind knowing that all visitors from outside the EU have undergone security checks.
The same approach is taken by the United States and Canada. Both the US ESTA and Canadian eTA are required by visa-exempt visitors of all ages.
ETIAS WILL RUN SECURITY CHECKS ON THE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OF MINORS
When an adult applies for ETIAS authorisation, their details are scanned against information stored in Interpol, Europol, and other security systems. When a minor applies, not only will their data be reviewed but the parent or legal guardian will also undergo background checks.
Article 20 of the ETIAS regulation explains that the system will verify:
“Whether the applicant’s parental authority or legal guardian is subject to an alert in respect of persons wanted for arrest for surrender purposes on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant or wanted for arrest for extradition purposes in SIS; is subject to a refusal of entry and stay alert entered in SIS."
In such circumstances, it is unlikely that the child would be granted the visa waiver and the right to enter the Schengen Area.
PROTECTING FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
The EU assures parents and guardians who are concerned about providing their child’s personal information that “the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration”.
Personal data is handled securely by ETIAS using state of the art technology. Particular attention will be paid to the most vulnerable members of society, including minors, to ensure they are protected.
APPLYING FOR ETIAS ON BEHALF OF A MINOR
Families with children should be prepared for the new travel requirements. Fortunately, parents or legal guardians can complete the online ETIAS application form on behalf of the youngster.
The parent or guardian should simply indicate that they are filling out the request for a minor and provide some personal details. The requested information includes:
- Full name
- Home address
- Email address
- Telephone number (if available)
The rest of the process remains the same. The parent or guardian should carefully copy the child’s passport information, ensuring all the data is entered correctly.
Most ETIAS applications submitted on behalf of minors will be approved almost immediately once the child and adult’s information has been verified. The visa waiver is then electronically linked to the biometric passport.
WHO CAN APPLY ON BEHALF OF A MINOR?
According to article 17 of the regulation:
"Minors shall submit an application form electronically signed by a person exercising permanent or temporary parental authority or legal guardianship."
To fill out and submit the application on behalf of a minor, the adult must be either a parent of the child or have been granted legal guardianship by a court of law.
Older siblings or other family members are not permitted to complete the request unless they are, by law, temporary or permanent guardians of the young person.
DOCUMENTS CHILDREN NEED TO TRAVEL IN THE EU
Children will be expected to carry their own valid passport with approved ETIAS attached from 2026 .
If travelling alone or with someone other than the parent or legal guardian, an official document signed by the parents/guardian authorising them to travel may be required.
There are no EU-wide rules regarding this matter so it is important to check the requirements of the specific member state.
ETIAS FOR MINORS: KEY INFORMATION
ETIAS for children offers the same benefits as it does for adults. It is quick and easy to apply for and the entire application process can be completed from home.
Validity period: an ETIAS authorisation is valid for 3 years from the approval date, or until the passport expires. It can be used to travel to Europe multiple times during this period.
Parents should bear in mind that children’s passports are usually valid for a shorter time. US and Australian passports for under 16s, for example, expire after 5 years rather than the usual 10 for adults. A new ETIAS request must be made as soon as the passport is renewed, the visa waiver cannot be transferred to the new travel document.
Length of stay: Just like adults, children can remain in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days per 180-day period with their approved ETIAS visa waiver.
ETIAS countries: minors require the ETIAS visa waiver to cross an external Schengen border. As there are no internal borders in the common travel zone, the youngster can then move freely amongst the Schengen member states. They should always carry their passport.
