Europe’s New Entry Requirements for Australians

Planning a European trip in 2026? There are a few new border rules to know before you go – but nothing that should slow you down if you’re prepared.

Here’s what’s changing, what’s not, and what to sort before you go.

Australian passport holders can still travel to the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

This includes popular destinations like France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal and the Netherlands.

What’s changing isn’t your visa-free access – it’s how you’re processed at the border.

On 10 April 2026, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) became operational at all Schengen borders. This is the biggest change to European border procedures in decades.

The EES is a digital border system that records every non-EU traveller’s entry and exit using fingerprints and facial scans. It replaces the traditional passport stamp, which is now being phased out.

On your first visit to Europe under EES, border officers will:

• Take your photograph
• Scan your fingerprints
• Scan your passport and link it to your biometric record
• Ask a few questions about your visit: purpose, duration, and accommodation

The good news: you do not need to register before you travel. Registration happens automatically at the border when you arrive, and it’s completely free.

Your biometric record is typically stored for up to three years, making future entries faster

Your first EES registration will take longer than a regular passport stamp. Expect a bit of extra time on your first Schengen entry at passport control, especially at major airports during peak travel periods.

A few other things to keep in mind:

• Dual citizens: Your travel is tracked digitally, so switching passports is unlikely to reset your 90-day limit
• Children under 12: Do not need to provide fingerprints, but still need a photo taken.
• Ireland and Cyprus: These countries are not part of EES, manual passport stamps continue at those borders.
• Biometric passports: May allow use of self-service kiosks where available.
• Refusing biometrics: If you decline to provide your biometric data, you will automatically be denied entry.

The 90/180-day limit hasn’t changed, but EES now enforces it digitally and automatically. Here’s how it works:

• You can spend a maximum of 90 days across all Schengen countries combined within any rolling 180-day period.
• Your 90 days start from your first day in any Schengen country.
• If you leave and return within the same 180-day window, your previous stay still counts toward your 90-day total.
• Overstaying can result in fines, a travel ban, or being refused entry on future trips.

If you’re planning multiple visits, it’s worth checking your dates using the EU’s Short-Stay Visa Calculator. home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

The Schengen Area covers 29 countries. Here is the full list:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Note: Ireland and Cyprus are EU members but are not part of the Schengen Area. Time spent in either country does not count toward your 90-day Schengen limit.

Not yet, but it’s coming later in 2026.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a separate, pre-travel online authorisation that Australians will eventually need before flying to Europe. Think of it like Australia’s own ETA, or the US ESTA.

ETIAS is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026. When it does:

• Costs around €20
• Applications take around 10 minutes online
• It will be valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first
• One ETIAS covers multiple trips to Europe, within the 90/180-day rule

⚠ Scam warning: As of April 2026, ETIAS is not yet accepting applications. Any website claiming to process ETIAS applications right now is not official. Do not hand over money or personal details. When it launches, apply only via the official EU website –  https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias

Yes, the UK is separate. It is not part of the Schengen Area, so EES and ETIAS do not apply.

Since February 2026, Australian visitors to the UK must apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. The UK ETA:

• Costs around £20
• Is valid for two years or until your passport expires
• Covers multiple trips for tourism or short business stays up to six months
• Is linked electronically to your passport, nothing to print

Find out more information in our guide

1. Check your passport expiry: Your Australian passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen Area.
2. Allow extra time at the border: Your first EES registration takes longer. Budget 30–60 extra minutes at passport control.
3. Count your Schengen days: Use the EU’s free Short-Stay Visa Calculator if you’ve visited Europe recently or plan multiple trips.
4. Apply for a UK ETA if visiting Britain: Apply before you travel at gov.uk/eta. Costs around £20.
5. ETIAS ,not yet required: Watch the official EU portal at travel-europe.europa.eu for when applications open later in 2026.
6. Please note, travel document exclusion: PassportCard policies do not cover claims arising from any failure to obtain relevant visas, passports, or travel documents. This includes being denied entry at the border due to EES requirements or missing travel authorisations. Please ensure all entry requirements are met before you travel.

If you’re travelling to the Schengen Area, your PassportCard policy meets the mandatory €30,000 minimum coverage requirement for emergency medical expenses, hospitalisation, and repatriation, as required under Schengen entry conditions.
Get a quote today .

For the most accurate and up-to-date travel requirements:
• Visit the Smartraveller website at smartraveller.gov.au for Australian Government travel advice
• Visit the European Commission’s official portal at travel-europe.europa.eu
• For UK entry requirements, visit gov.uk/eta
• Contact your airline before departure to confirm your documents meet entry requirements