ETIAS for Children 2026 – Parent Questions Answered

Non-EU children of every age, including babies, will need their own ETIAS once the system starts, but applicants under 18 pay no fee (adults pay €20). This 2026 guide explains everything ETIAS children-related you need: rules under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, costs in euros, timing, practical itineraries and citations from official sources at europa.eu and ec.europa.eu. The focus stays on non-EU passport holders, who will need an approved ETIAS before crossing the external Schengen border once the system starts (it is not yet in operation). Internal links throughout point to deep guides on ETIAS application step by step, applying for ETIAS on a mobile phone and ETIAS and an expiring passport for related context.

The European Commission updated several ETIAS-adjacent rules in early 2026, including the Entry/Exit System rollout for non-EU citizens at every Schengen border. This guide reflects those changes and includes pricing, comparison tables and FAQ blocks designed to answer the questions families and solo travellers raise when booking. All costs cited are May 2026 figures unless otherwise noted, and external sources are limited to europa.eu, ec.europa.eu, gov.uk, visitbritain.com and nhs.uk, in line with editorial standards used across europe-visa.eu.

ETIAS children – children walking European cobblestone street

Do Children Need ETIAS in 2026?

Yes – once ETIAS starts, every non-EU child will need their own ETIAS before entering the Schengen Area, no matter how young. ETIAS is not yet in operation and the EU has not announced a launch date; it will announce it several months in advance. A newborn travelling on a parent’s passport is not exempt from the application — only from the fee. Once approved, the authorisation covers the whole zone plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland under the same 90-day-in-180 window.

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Parents notice the practical upside quickly. Approved families move through border kiosks faster, and airlines rarely query check-in when the document is already linked to the passport. Eurostat data published on 11 March 2026 shows a 5.4 per cent year-on-year rise in non-EU short-stay arrivals, led by Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates. More arrivals mean stricter document checks. Having each child’s ETIAS ready is the simplest way to avoid delays.

Fees and Exemptions for Under-18s

The headline is simple: children pay nothing. Applicants under 18 are fully exempt from the €20 charge that adults pay, and the same exemption covers travellers over 70. The application itself will still be compulsory once ETIAS starts – the exemption covers the fee, not the obligation to apply.

Applications will be made on the official ETIAS website, travel-europe.europa.eu, where the official fee for a child is zero. Budget for the adults, apply for the children, and keep every confirmation email in one folder before departure.

ETIAS children – ETIAS children American flag with travel documents

Consent Requirements and Parental Documents

A child’s own ETIAS is only half the paperwork. When a stepparent or single parent travels, border officers expect a signed consent letter — notarised, and ideally translated. Foster children need accompanying court papers; adopted children need the adoption deed. Carry originals, not just phone photos.

The consent rule exists to deter cross-border child abduction, so officers apply it strictly. Keep the child’s passport, their approved authorisation and the consent letter together in one document wallet. If a grandparent or guardian applies on the child’s behalf, the legal guardian must authorise it in writing and supply contact details for verification.

Infants on Parents’ Passports

Babies are not an exception. An infant aged 0–2 recorded on a parent’s passport still needs an individual ETIAS tied to that document. The fee is waived, but the record must exist before you reach the external Schengen border.

Passport churn is the catch here. An authorisation stays valid for three years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first, and infant passports are typically short-dated. A baby’s ETIAS may therefore lapse well before the three-year mark. Check the passport expiry the moment you book. Re-apply if a renewal is due.

ETIAS children – British passport on UK flag background

ETIAS for Children – At a Glance

The following table aggregates pricing and rule data published by official transport operators, the European Commission and national tourism boards in early 2026.

Item	2026 Cost / Status	Notes
Age 0-17	ETIAS required	Fee waived
Age 0-2 on parent passport	ETIAS required	Fee waived
Age 18+	ETIAS required	€20 fee (waived for over-70s)
School trip group	Individual ETIAS	Each child
Stepparent travelling	Consent letter needed	Notarised
Dual-national child	EU passport supersedes	No ETIAS needed
Foster child	ETIAS + court papers	Both required
Adopted child	ETIAS + adoption deed	Both required

School Trips and Group Applications

There is no group ETIAS. Every pupil on a school trip needs an individual authorisation, each one tied to that child’s own passport. Schools usually batch the work — a single coordinator submits 30 to 40 applications using one contact email — but the system still stores one record per traveller.

Start early. Collect passport details weeks ahead, flag any child whose passport expires soon, and gather consent letters for pupils not travelling with a parent. A single missing authorisation can hold up an entire coach at the border. The coordinator’s checklist matters more than the paperwork of any one family.

Children of Dual-National Parents

Dual nationality can remove the requirement entirely. If a child holds an EU or Schengen-country passport, that document takes precedence and no ETIAS is needed — they enter as an EU citizen. Travel on the EU passport, and the question disappears.

Trouble starts when families mix documents. A child who leaves on a non-EU passport but tries to enter on the EU one, or the reverse, invites questions at the desk. Pick one passport per journey and use it consistently. Where only a non-EU passport exists, the standard child rules apply and the fee is still waived.

ETIAS children passport stamps close up travel authorization — ETIAS children – ETIAS children passport stamps close up travel aut

Travelling Without Both Parents

Solo-parent and guardian travel draws the most border-officer attention. Alongside the child’s passport and ETIAS, carry a consent letter signed by the absent parent or parents, notarised where possible. Divorced or separated parents should also bring proof of custody arrangements.

Officers are looking for consistency between the documents and the story. Matching surnames help; mismatched ones invite follow-up questions about the relationship. Keep the letter, the custody paperwork and the child’s authorisation within easy reach rather than buried in a suitcase.

Border-Officer Questions Parents Face

Expect a short, practical exchange. Officers commonly ask where you are staying, how long you plan to remain and who is accompanying the child. Answers should line up with your booking confirmations and the 90-days-in-180 limit that applies across the whole Schengen Area, Switzerland included.

Preparation shortens the conversation. Keep the child’s approval, passport and any consent letter together, and know your entry and exit dates. Most ETIAS applications are expected to be processed quickly, though some may take longer, so apply well before departure.

ETIAS children – hands holding European passport with itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ETIAS free for newborns and toddlers?

Yes — applicants under 18 pay no fee, including newborns. The application is still mandatory if your child holds any biometric document. The European Commission’s 2025 guidance clarifies that the rule applies even to babies travelling on a parent’s passport.

Can a grandparent apply for a grandchild’s ETIAS?

Yes, with parental consent. The legal guardian must authorise the action in writing, and the application form requires their email and contact details for verification. The child still needs their own passport-tied authorisation.

Do school trips qualify for a single group ETIAS?

No — every child needs an individual ETIAS. Schools usually batch-apply for 30-40 children at a time using a single coordinator email, but the European Commission requires one record per traveller.

How long is a child’s ETIAS valid?

ETIAS is valid for three years or until the underlying passport expires, whichever comes first. Children’s passports are often issued with shorter validity than adults’, so a child’s ETIAS may expire before the three-year mark.

How much does ETIAS cost in 2026?

The ETIAS fee will be €20 once the system starts; ETIAS is not yet in operation and the EU has not announced a launch date. Applications will be made on the official website travel-europe.europa.eu. Applicants under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee.

How long is an ETIAS valid?

ETIAS is valid for three years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. During its validity, you can make multiple trips of up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period across the Schengen Area, including Switzerland.

Can I extend a 90-day Schengen stay using ETIAS?

No — ETIAS is not extendable. To stay longer, you must apply for a national visa from the country where you plan to live. Tourism, study and work routes have separate national visa categories under each Member State’s rules.

What happens if my passport changes during ETIAS validity?

ETIAS is tied to a specific passport. If you renew or replace your passport, you must apply for a new ETIAS using the new passport details. Re-application costs €20 again, except for under-18s and over-70s who remain exempt from the fee.

Final Thoughts on ETIAS children in 2026

Planning children’s travel to Europe comes down to three things: timing your ETIAS submission once the system opens, picking the right Schengen entry point and budgeting for predictable costs. Most applications are expected to be processed quickly, but some may take longer, so leave time before departure. Double-check your booking documents and travel insurance before departure, and use the official portal travel-europe.europa.eu for any application action.

ETIAS for Children 2026 – Common Parent Questions Answered