Do Australians need ETIAS to travel to the Schengen Area?

Once the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) becomes operational in the last quarter of 2026, Australian citizens and visa-exempt residents will need an ETIAS authorisation to travel and transit through the Schengen Area. ETIAS is not a visa, but a pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals including Australians travelling to the Schengen Area. 

As entry and visa requirements for Europe and the Schengen Area may change over time, it is your responsibility to verify entry and visa requirements with the official government authorities including the European Commission and the embassy or consulate of the European country you plan to visit.