Europe's ETIAS starts in late 2026: EUR 20, three years, and Taiwan passports are in scope
ETIAS is due to start operating in the last quarter of 2026, at EUR 20 and with three years of validity. Taiwan travellers currently enter Europe visa-free, and will fall within ETIAS once it is live. Here is what the EU has published, what it has not, and what is worth doing now.
What is ETIAS, and how does it differ from a Schengen visa and from EES?
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System applies to third-country travellers who enter without a visa. It is not a visa but an online clearance obtained before departure, in the same family as the US ESTA.
| System | What it is | What it means for Taiwan travellers |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa exemption | Eligibility to enter without a visa | In force now, for passports issued by Taiwan that include an identity card number |
| EES entry/exit system | Biometric registration at the border | Handled at the border by national authorities; nothing to apply for in advance |
| ETIAS | Online authorization before departure | Not yet live; once it is, visa-exempt travellers must obtain it in advance |
These stack rather than replace one another: visa-free eligibility still means completing EES at the border, and in future obtaining an ETIAS before departure as well. How EES works in practice is covered in our guides to EES in France, EES in the Czech Republic and EES in Austria.
The legal basis for Taiwan
Annex II of EU Regulation 2018/1806 lists "Taiwan", with the footnote: "The exemption from the visa requirement shall only apply to holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number."
ETIAS applies precisely to travellers on that visa-exempt list, so once the system is live, holders of a Taiwan passport carrying an identity card number will need an authorization before travelling. Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs currently lists France and the other Schengen states as visa-free, with up to 90 days in total in any 180-day period (list updated 23 July 2026).
ETIAS fee, validity and processing: what the EU has published
| Item | Published position |
|---|---|
| Start | Operations begin in the last quarter of 2026; the application form is expected mid-2026 |
| Fee | EUR 20 (raised from the EUR 7 originally set) |
| Exempt from the fee | Travellers under 18 and over 70 |
| Validity | Three years, or until the passport expires, whichever is first |
| Stay rule | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Processing | Usually minutes; up to 4 days, extending to 14 days if information is requested and 30 days if an interview is needed |
| Scope | The 30 European countries listed on the official EU site |
The fee increase came from a European Commission announcement on 17 July 2025. Start timing and transitional arrangements remain subject to the EU's own further announcements, and Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs has not yet issued dedicated guidance on ETIAS — so check again before you travel.
- ・No swap at the border — France to Italy with nothing to reconfigure
- ・Install before you fly, then switch on data roaming after landing
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
Four things worth doing before ETIAS goes live
Connectivity across a multi-country European itinerary
| Option | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-country eSIM | Itineraries crossing several European countries | One plan across many borders with no swap; the handset must support eSIM |
| Single-country physical SIM | A trip spending the whole time in one country | Extra charges once you cross a border, and keeping your original SIM safe |
| International roaming | Short business trips | Higher rates; confirm the daily cap first |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Groups sharing one connection | An extra device to charge, and nobody has data once the group splits up |
A typical European trip takes in three to five countries with frequent rail border crossings, where buying a SIM per country costs both time and connectivity. Plan comparisons are in our Europe eSIM guide. If the United Kingdom is on the itinerary, its entry rules are separate — see the UK ETA guide, as the UK is not in the Schengen area.
Europe ETIAS: frequently asked questions
What is ETIAS, and will Taiwan passport holders need one?
ETIAS is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, which applies to visa-exempt third-country travellers. Annex II of EU Regulation 2018/1806 lists Taiwan, with a footnote stating that "the exemption from the visa requirement shall only apply to holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number." Holders of those passports will therefore fall within ETIAS once it is operating.
When does ETIAS start?
The European Commission states that ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026, with the application form expected to open in mid-2026. Treat the EU's own announcements as authoritative on the exact start date and any transitional arrangements, and check again before you travel.
How much does ETIAS cost?
The European Commission announced on 17 July 2025 that the fee would be EUR 20, up from the EUR 7 originally set. Travellers under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee.
How long is an ETIAS valid, and how long can I stay?
Three years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. The stay rule is the existing Schengen one: up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
How long does a decision take?
Most applications are processed within minutes. A decision may take up to four days, extending to 14 days if further information is requested and 30 days if an interview is required. Applying as soon as the trip is confirmed avoids any pressure.
How should I arrange data for a European trip?
Multi-country itineraries make buying a SIM in each country impractical. The Peanutmo Europe eSIM covers 42 countries on one plan, with no swap at the border — just switch on data roaming after landing.
- ・QR code emailed within about 10 minutes, so you can install before you leave
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
- ・LINE support at @peanutmo, 10:00–17:00 (UTC+8)
Installation takes about three minutes with our step-by-step setup guide.
Related reading
What the 42-country plan covers, whether borders interrupt it, and picking duration and data.
How biometric registration works and how much time it adds at the gate.
The United Kingdom sits outside Schengen and needs its own authorization.
Navigation and translation usage across a multi-country trip.
