Heading to Europe in 2027?
Visas & borders: Travelling in Europe, what you need to know
Planning a trip to Europe in 2027? There are some important changes to European border procedures that Australian travellers should be aware of, including the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
IMPORTANT ETIAS UPDATE
ETIAS is not currently in operation.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has been delayed and is not currently accepting applications. The European Union will announce the specific start date several months before ETIAS launches.
Australian passport holders will be among the visa-exempt travellers who will need an ETIAS travel authorisation once the system becomes operational.
There is no need to apply for ETIAS at this time.
The planned ETIAS application fee is €20. ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa, and will be required for eligible visa-free travellers visiting participating European countries for short stays.
For the latest information, always check the official European Union ETIAS website:
What are the new EU border requirements?
Travellers heading to Europe should be aware of two important border systems: the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
The two systems are different:
EES is a digital border registration system that records entries and exits of eligible non-EU travellers.
ETIAS is a travel authorisation that eligible visa-exempt travellers will need before travelling once the system is operational.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated system that registers non-EU nationals travelling to participating European countries for short stays.
The EES became fully operational at external border crossing points on 10 April 2026. It replaces the traditional manual stamping of passports for travellers covered by the system.
When travelling through an external European border using EES, eligible travellers may have their passport information, entry and exit dates, facial image and fingerprints recorded digitally.
Australian travellers visiting Europe for short stays should therefore expect to encounter EES registration when entering or exiting countries participating in the system.
European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS)
Europa.eu/etias is the only official ETIAS website.
Australian passport holders will be among the visa-exempt travellers required to obtain an ETIAS once the system becomes operational.
ETIAS will apply to eligible visa-exempt travellers visiting 30 European countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
ETIAS will generally cover short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
WHO WILL NEED AN ETIAS?
Nationals of the below-listed countries and territories will be required to have an ETIAS travel authorisation in order to travel to Europe:
ALBANIA ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA BAHAMAS BARBADOS BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA BRAZIL BRUNEI CANADA CHILE COLOMBIA COSTA RICA DOMINICA EL SALVADOR GEORGIA GRENADA GUATEMALA HONDURAS HONG KONG ISRAEL JAPAN KIRIBATI KOSOVO* MACAO MALAYSIA MARSHALL ISLANDS MAURITIUS MEXICO MICRONESIA MOLDOVA MONTENEGRO NEW ZEALAND NICARAGUA NORTH MACEDONIA PALAU PANAMA PARAGUAY PERU SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS SAINT LUCIA SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES SAMOA SERBIA SEYCHELLES SINGAPORE SOLOMON ISLANDS SOUTH KOREA TAIWAN TIMOR-LESTE TONGA TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TUVALU UKRAINE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNITED KINGDOM UNITED STATES OF AMERICA URUGUAY VENEZUELA
Applying for ETIAS
When ETIAS becomes operational, applications will be completed online through the official EU ETIAS website or official mobile application.
Applicants will need a valid travel document and will pay the applicable application fee. The planned fee is €20, although certain travellers may be exempt from paying the fee.
There is no need to apply for ETIAS yet. The EU will announce the official launch date several months before the system begins accepting applications.
Travelling to Europe from Australia
If you're planning a European holiday in 2027, we recommend checking the latest entry requirements before you travel.
European entry requirements can change, so it is important to check the latest official information closer to your departure date. For the latest ETIAS information, visit the official European Union website: Europa.eu/etias
Planning your next European adventure? Talk to the Holiday World team for assistance with your flights, tours, cruises, accommodation and travel requirements.
It is not possible to apply for a visa if the ETIAS application is refused. Click here to see what should be done instead.
