ETIAS Eligible Nationalities 2026: Who Needs to Apply

The ETIAS eligible nationalities are the visa-exempt non-EU citizens who can currently visit the Schengen Area without a visa. Around 60 nationalities fall into this group, and from the scheme’s launch they will need an approved ETIAS before they travel. This guide explains who must apply, who is exempt, and how to confirm your own status in seconds.

TL;DR: If your country lets you enter the Schengen Area visa-free for short stays — such as the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan and around 55 others — you will need ETIAS. EU and Schengen citizens do not. Travellers who already hold a Schengen visa or residence permit are also exempt from ETIAS.

Quick Facts

Item	Detail
Who needs ETIAS	Visa-exempt non-EU nationals
Number of nationalities	Around 60
Fee	€20 (free under 18 / over 70)
Who is exempt	EU/Schengen citizens, visa holders
Validity	Up to 3 years
Where it applies	30 European countries

For the full country lists, see countries that need ETIAS and exempt nationalities.

Who counts as an ETIAS eligible nationality

ETIAS applies to nationals of countries that already enjoy visa-free short-stay access to the Schengen Area. In practice that means citizens of roughly 60 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and many more. If you have been able to visit Europe for tourism without arranging a visa beforehand, you are almost certainly in the group that will need ETIAS. The authorisation does not change your right to travel — it adds a quick online pre-screening step.

Group	ETIAS required?
Visa-exempt non-EU nationals (UK, US, Canada, etc.)	Yes
EU and Schengen country citizens	No
Holders of a valid Schengen visa	No
Holders of an EU residence permit	No

Who does not need ETIAS

Several groups are exempt. EU citizens and nationals of Schengen countries never need ETIAS for their own area. Travellers who already hold a valid Schengen visa use that visa instead, and holders of an EU residence permit or long-stay visa are likewise covered by those documents. Nationals of countries that require a full Schengen visa do not use ETIAS at all — they continue with the standard visa process. If you are unsure which path applies to you, the official EU ETIAS portal confirms it by nationality.

Pro tip: Dual nationals should apply using the same passport they will travel on. ETIAS is linked to one specific passport, so mixing documents is the most common avoidable mistake — see our note on UK citizen applications for an example.

How to check your nationality and apply

Confirming your status and applying takes only a few steps:

1. Check the official list to confirm your nationality is visa-exempt and therefore needs ETIAS.
2. Gather your biometric passport, email address and a payment card.
3. Complete the online form with details matching your passport exactly.
4. Pay the €20 fee and wait for your approval, usually within minutes.

Apply on the European Commission ETIAS pages, and read the document requirements before you start. Country-specific guides such as ETIAS for US citizens cover the details for major nationalities.

Special cases and common questions about eligibility

Children of eligible nationalities need their own ETIAS but pay no fee, and the same applies to travellers over 70. People with dual citizenship choose the eligible passport that suits their trip. Those transiting through a Schengen airport may still need ETIAS depending on the route — our guide to ETIAS and airport transit explains when. For any borderline case, the SchengenVisaInfo ETIAS hub lists nationalities and exemptions clearly.

• Tip 1: Confirm your nationality is on the visa-exempt list before assuming you need ETIAS.
• Tip 2: Apply on the passport you will actually travel with, especially if you hold two.
• Tip 3: Remember children and over-70s are exempt from the fee but still need an authorisation.

Major eligible nationalities at a glance

While the full list runs to around 60 countries, a handful of nationalities account for the majority of expected applications. British citizens became a visa-exempt third-country nationality after the UK left the EU, so they need ETIAS for short Schengen stays. Americans, Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders — long-standing visa-free visitors — all fall into the eligible group, as do nationals of Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and many others. The unifying thread is straightforward: if your country currently lets you enter Europe for tourism without a pre-arranged visa, you are in the ETIAS group.

Region	Examples of eligible nationalities
Europe (non-EU)	United Kingdom, Albania, Serbia
Americas	United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico
Asia-Pacific	Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore

Because the list can be updated over time, always confirm your specific nationality on the official EU ETIAS portal rather than relying on memory. Our running list of countries that need ETIAS mirrors the official position.

Where your ETIAS lets you travel

An approved ETIAS is not country-specific — it covers travel to the 30 European countries participating in the scheme, which include the Schengen Area members plus a small number of associated states. That means a single authorisation lets you move freely between participating countries on one trip, subject to the overall 90-days-in-180 limit. You enter through your declared country of first entry and can then travel onward without applying again for each border. This is one of the scheme’s biggest practical advantages for multi-country itineraries, city-break hoppers and cruise passengers alike. For the boundaries of where the rules apply, see our explainer on the Schengen Area countries, and the SchengenVisaInfo ETIAS hub for the current participating list. Remember that holding ETIAS for the right nationality is only the first step — you must still meet the standard entry conditions when an officer checks you at the border.

What to do if you are unsure about your status

If you cannot tell whether your nationality needs ETIAS, a Schengen visa, or nothing at all, resolve it before you book. Start with the official tool that confirms requirements by nationality, then cross-check against a reputable summary. Three outcomes are possible: your country is visa-exempt and needs ETIAS; your country requires a full Schengen visa, in which case ETIAS does not apply and you follow the visa process; or you are an EU or Schengen citizen and need neither. Dual nationals should decide which passport they will travel on and apply accordingly, since ETIAS attaches to one specific document. Getting this right early avoids the costly mistake of arriving at an airport without the correct authorisation. The official EU ETIAS portal confirms your nationality’s status, and the SchengenVisaInfo ETIAS hub lists exemptions clearly.

The bottom line

In summary, the ETIAS eligible nationalities are the roughly 60 visa-exempt non-EU countries — among them the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Japan — whose citizens will need an approved ETIAS for short Schengen stays, while EU and Schengen citizens and existing visa or residence-permit holders are exempt. One authorisation covers all 30 participating countries, children and over-70s travel fee-free, and dual nationals should apply on the passport they will travel with. Confirm your status on the official tool before booking, and you are ready to apply. For the authoritative position, always check the official EU ETIAS portal before you apply.

Related ETIAS guides

• Countries that need ETIAS
• Exempt nationalities
• ETIAS for UK citizens
• Schengen Area countries
• ETIAS vs Schengen visa

Frequently Asked Questions

Which nationalities are eligible for ETIAS?

Visa-exempt non-EU nationals — around 60 countries including the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Japan — will need ETIAS to visit the Schengen Area.

Who does not need ETIAS?

EU and Schengen citizens, holders of a valid Schengen visa, and holders of an EU residence permit do not need ETIAS.

Do UK citizens need ETIAS?

Yes. Since the UK is outside the EU, British citizens are a visa-exempt nationality that will require ETIAS for short Schengen trips.

How many nationalities need ETIAS?

Around 60 visa-exempt nationalities are covered by the scheme, applying for travel to 30 European countries.

Do children need ETIAS?

Yes, every eligible traveller including children needs their own ETIAS, but applicants under 18 and over 70 pay no fee.

I have two passports — which do I use?

Apply with the passport you will travel on. ETIAS is linked to one specific document, so use the eligible nationality’s passport.

What if my country needs a full Schengen visa?

Then ETIAS does not apply to you. You continue using the standard Schengen visa process instead.

Do EU citizens need ETIAS?

No. Citizens of EU and Schengen countries never need ETIAS for travel within the area. The scheme applies only to visa-exempt non-EU nationals.

If I have a Schengen residence permit, do I need ETIAS?

No. Holders of a valid EU residence permit or long-stay visa are exempt from ETIAS and travel on those documents instead.

Will more nationalities be added to ETIAS over time?

The list of eligible nationalities can be updated as visa-free arrangements change. Always confirm your specific country on the official tool rather than relying on an older list.

Does ETIAS apply to travel for work or study?

ETIAS covers short stays for tourism, business and transit. Longer stays for work or study usually require a national visa or permit instead, depending on the country and purpose.