01 Dec 23
New ETIAS entry requirement for Europe
UPDATED: 1 December 2024
The UK has just opened pre-travel requirement to non-Europeans. Australians can now apply in advance for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and will need one to travel to the UK from 8 January 2025.
- Read more in this media release
- Visit www.gov.uk to find out how to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation before going to the UK
An ETA costs £10, permits multiple journeys, and lasts for two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. Once granted, ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and allow for stays of up to six months at a time – including both short trips and more extended stays. An ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel.
As far as we know, applications for other European countries are not open yet.
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If you are planning a trip to Europe, you’ll be required to apply for a travel authorisation via the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). At its heart, ETIAS is a visa waiver that will allow citizens of some countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, to enter Europe and travel freely.
The goal of ETIAS is to tighten border security, as well as digitally screen and track travellers entering and leaving EU countries. It’s really just one more step to think about before your trip.
It will still be easy to travel to Europe, and it changes nothing once you’re actually there. Australians with ETIAS approval will be able to enter any one of 30 continental European countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, including France, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.
Applications will be accepted online through the ETIAS website and will cost a small fee €7 ($11.40). Applicants under 18 or over 70 pay nothing.
You’ll need to provide basic personal information, travel plans / history, and answer other security questions. The authorisation is linked to your passport and is valid for up to 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
In most cases, applications will be processed within a few minutes but you are advised to apply well in advance.
ETIAS was first proposed in 2016, adopted in 2018 and has been delayed ever since.
As more details about ETIAS become available, we will update this page.

Written By
Samantha McCrow
Sam is a writer, hiker, swimmer, trail runner, volunteer lifesaver and adventure traveller. She brings 20+ years of marketing and communications experience to RAW Travel. Sam regularly shares stories and insights about the world's most iconic and rewarding hiking trails.