Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.
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The ETIAS travel authorisation system has been postponed to late 2026.
Australian travellers planning a holiday to Europe will need to check if they need a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel permit before they go. This will be new to many Australians who have enjoyed visa free travel to Europe for some time.
ETIAS is a fully electronic process that allows and keeps track of visitors from those countries who aren’t required to have a visa to enter the Schengen Zone.
ETIAS holders can enjoy up to 90 days in 30 European countries in any 180-day period. It is valid for tourism, business, and transit in all Schengen Area countries.
Once it has launched in late 2026, travellers from more than 60 visa-exempt countries, including Australia, will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation.
The system is much like the one used in the United States, ESTA. If given, it will be valid for three years, although a new document will be required if your passport expires or is replaced before the three years is up.
Travellers will be asked to apply online for ETIAS, and each applicant will undergo a detailed security check to determine their status for entry into any of the Schengen Zone countries.
The ETIAS visa was introduced to address increased terrorism by increasing border security and checks, with the aim of making travelling through these countries safer. It is also expected the new ETIAS will help:
Reduce procedures and application times
Improve the management of EU country borders
Assist in detecting and decreasing crime and terrorism
Impede irregular migration
Reinforce the visa liberalisation policy of the EU.
The European countries that will require travellers to hold a valid ETIAS upon arrival at their borders are:Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. See the full list here.
The documents required to apply for ETIAS are:
Passport: Valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen Area
Email address: You’ll be notified by email when your ETIAS is approved
Debit or credit card: To pay the ETIAS fees online
For the latest information on the ETIAS requirements for Australians travelling to Europe in 2026 visit the smartraveller website.
Beware of scam websites encouraging you to apply for ETIAS before the system is operational.
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*The discount applies to the total nib travel insurance premium and is for customers that currently hold an Australian health insurance product, or an Overseas Student Health Cover product with nib. The discount is not available to customers who hold an Overseas Visitors Health Cover product. Discounts do not apply to the rate of GST and stamp duty or any changes you make to the policy. nib has the discretion to withdraw or amend this discount offer at any time. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount.