ETIAS & EES: Schengen entry in 2026
As of 29 September 2026, ETIAS is NOT yet operating and cannot be applied for; the EU has not announced a start date and says it will give several months' notice. The fee will be €20 (free under 18 and over 70). What is live now is the Entry/Exit System (EES): it started on 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational at all Schengen external borders since 10 April 2026. Non-EU short-stay visitors, including Koreans, have their passport data, face image and fingerprints recorded at the border; there is nothing to apply for in advance.
RequiredArrival card
Entry/Exit System (EES) registration
- Who
- All non-EU nationals on short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) entering the 29 Schengen countries, including South Korean passport holders. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting.
- When
- At the first Schengen external border crossing. Optionally, pre-register data within 72 hours before arrival in the 'Travel to Europe' app where available.
- Fee
- Free
- Processing
- Done at the border; the first registration takes longer than later crossings.
Steps
- Travel with a valid passport; no online application is needed.
- Optionally pre-register in the official 'Travel to Europe' app within 72 hours before arrival, if the country supports it.
- At the border, have your passport scanned.
- Give a facial image and fingerprints (no fingerprints under age 12).
- Your entry and, later, exit dates are recorded electronically.
Have ready
- Valid passport
Watch out
- Allow extra time at the border on your first EES entry.
- EES records every entry and exit, so overstays beyond 90 days in 180 are detected automatically.
- There is no fee and no advance application; any site selling 'EES registration' is not official.
ConditionalTravel authorisation
ETIAS travel authorisation (not yet operating)
- Who
- Once operational: visa-exempt travellers, including South Korean passport holders, visiting 30 European countries for short stays. Not required yet.
- When
- Not applicable yet. The EU will announce the start date several months in advance.
- Fee
- €20.00 · Fee applies only once ETIAS is operational. Applicants under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee.
- Validity
- Planned: 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
- Processing
- Planned: most applications approved within minutes.
Steps
- Do not apply now: ETIAS is not operating yet.
- Watch the official EU site (travel-europe.europa.eu) for the start date.
- Once live: fill in the online form with personal and passport details.
- Pay the €20 fee (if aged 18-70).
- Receive the authorisation linked to your passport; no printout needed.
Have ready
- Valid passport
- Email address
- Payment card (once live)
Watch out
- Sites already taking ETIAS applications or payments are not the EU; the official system is not open.
- Many unofficial sites quote a fixed 2026 launch; the EU's official page gives no date yet.
- When it launches, apply only through the official EU website or app.
Get an eSIM · Europe
FAQ
Do I need ETIAS for Europe right now?
No. As of 29 September 2026 ETIAS is not operating. Korean passport holders enter the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days in 180 and register in EES at the border.
When will ETIAS start?
No official date. The EU previously targeted the last quarter of 2026, but its official policy page now only says the date will be announced several months before launch.
Does EES replace passport stamps?
EES records your entry and exit electronically with biometrics. Check with the border authority of the country you enter for any remaining stamping practice.
Which countries use EES?
29 European countries (the Schengen area). ETIAS, when launched, will cover 30 countries.