ETIAS for Australians

Australians will soon need ETIAS to travel to countries in the EU. ETIAS will be operational from 2026

• it will become a mandatory entry requirement for Australians visiting Europe.

Although the system is not live yet, Australian nationals should be prepared for the new travel permit.

This page explains the ETIAS requirements for Australians and how the application process works.

INFORMATION ABOUT ETIAS FOR AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS

Here is the most important information about ETIAS for Australians.

ETIAS IS A TRAVEL AUTHORISATION, NOT A VISA

ETIAS is not a new visa for Europe. As an Australian passport holder, you can still visit European destinations without a visa. You will, however, need to register for ETIAS.

ETIAS is similar to the ESTA that Australians already need to travel to the United States. Visa waivers like ETIAS and ESTA make visa-free travel safer.

ETIAS IS VALID FOR 3 YEARS AND YOU CAN TRAVEL TO EUROPE MULTIPLE TIMES

Once approved, your ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for up to 3 years. If your Australian passport expires sooner, so does your ETIAS.

You can travel from Australia to Europe multiple times whilst your ETIAS remains valid.

AUSTRALIANS CAN VISIT EUROPE FOR 90 DAYS WITH ETIAS

With ETIAS, you can visit countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. These can be 90 consecutive days or divided between different trips.

Similarly, they can be spent in one country or several different ETIAS countries.

YOU CAN TRAVEL TO EUROPE ON HOLIDAY OR BUSINESS WITH ETIAS

With ETIAS, Australians can go to European destinations on holiday or meetings, conferences or other business trips.

ETIAS is also for short-term study. You can take part in courses lasting no more than 90 days without a visa, provided you apply for ETIAS.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN ETIAS FOR AUSTRALIA FROM [CONTENT-INJECT PATH="/DATE" /] ONWARDS

As an Australian citizen, you need to fill out an online form to apply for ETIAS. This is the information you’ll need to provide:

• Personal information
• Travel document details
• Level of education and current occupation
• First European country you’ll enter
• Criminal record history
• Past travel to conflict zones

Even if you do not have confirmed travel plans, you can still apply for ETIAS.

You must indicate the first country you intend to enter however, once you’ve received ETIAS approval you can travel to any of the Schengen countries.

REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR ETIAS FROM AUSTRALIA

To apply for an ETIAS visa waiver from Australia, you need:

You also need to meet the conditions for visa-free entry explained above.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SUBMIT MY ETIAS APPLICATION FROM AUSTRALIA?

This is what happens once you’ve submitted your ETIAS application form from Australia:

1. **Information is checked against security databases***
   • If there is an alert in a system, the application is reviewed manually by the ETIAS National Unite
2. ETIAS is issued and linked to your Australian passport
   • ETIAS can be denied if the applicant is considered a security risk
3. You are ready to travel to Australia

*Your ETIAS is verified at the external Schengen border

Important: ETIAS for Australians does not guarantee entry. Border officials will verify that you meet all the entry conditions.

*This includes databases such as eu-LISA, Schengen Information System (SIS), INTERPOL, EURODAC, EUROPOL, and Visa Information System (VIS).

EUROPE VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS

As explained above, Australians do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area short-term. This will not change when ETIAS is introduced. Australians will maintain their visa-free privileges, but will need to register online before departure. ETIAS is a visa waiver, not a visa, for Europe.

Australians who wish to stay in Europe for longer than 3 months, or to study long-term or work in an EU member state, need the relevant visa or residence permit.