Do Germans need an ETIAS travel authorisation for Europe? No. The planned system applies to visa-exempt travellers from non-EU countries. If you hold a German passport, you are an EU citizen and do not fall under it. This guide explains who ETIAS affects, what the European Commission says about the fee, and why no binding start date can be named yet.
Short answer: Germans do not need an ETIAS authorisation to travel to the Schengen area. ETIAS applies to visa-exempt non-EU citizens. The European Commission gives 20 euros as the future fee, previously planned at 7 euros. The Commission page names no start date. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation procedure for travellers from countries whose citizens do not need a visa for short stays.
- German citizens are EU citizens and therefore do not need an ETIAS authorisation.
- The Commission gives 20 euros as the fee for adults. The previous rate was 7 euros. The increase is tied to the system going into operation.
- The Commission has not yet published a binding start date. According to the Commission, it will announce the date several months in advance.
- Whether a destination requires a visa is decided by the competent consular post of that country. This applies regardless of ETIAS.
What ETIAS actually is
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. Its legal basis is Regulation (EU) 2018/1240, adopted on 12 September 2018 and in force since 9 October 2018. The Commission describes the target group as visa-exempt travellers who visit 30 European countries for a short stay. Anyone in that group will, in future, have to apply for an electronic authorisation before travelling.
The distinction from a visa matters. A consular post of a state issues a visa after an individual assessment. ETIAS, by contrast, is designed as a travel authorisation obtained before entering the Schengen area. Anyone who needs a visa still applies for it at the competent consular post. The two procedures should therefore be kept apart.
The idea goes back to a Commission communication from April 2016. The Commission page is dated 6 October 2025 and states that ETIAS is not yet in operation and that no applications are being accepted. For a trip today, nothing needs to be applied for, unless the destination requires a visa.
Why Germans are not affected
The Commission text defines the group clearly. It speaks of visa-exempt non-EU citizens. Nationals of the Member States of the European Union are therefore outside the procedure. A valid German travel document is enough to enter the Schengen Member States without applying for an authorisation in advance.
| Travellers | Nationality | Affected by ETIAS? |
|---|---|---|
| German citizens | EU citizens | No |
| Citizens of visa-exempt non-EU countries for short stays | Non-EU citizens without visa requirement | Yes, once the system is operational |
| Citizens who require a visa | Non-EU citizens with a visa requirement | No, the visa remains necessary |
| Dual nationals travelling on their German passport | EU citizens with a second passport | No |
For dual nationals, the deciding factor is which document is used at the border. Assumption: you enter with a German passport. In that case the entry counts as that of an EU citizen, and the procedure for visa-exempt third-country nationals does not apply. Anyone entering on another passport should check the requirements of the destination in advance.
What the fee costs and what is still open
For adults, the Commission gives 20 euros as the fee. Originally 7 euros were planned. The Commission links the increase to the operation of the system. Travellers with a German passport do not pay this fee, because they are not subject to the application requirement.
The Commission does not name a start date on its page. It explains that it will publish the date several months before launch. Press reports name different points in time and are not an official source. The announcement of the European Commission therefore remains decisive. If you plan trips for 2027 with companions who do not hold a German passport, keep this page in view.
Typical situations
Many questions arise because trips involve several people with different passports. The following situations show how the question is answered depending on the circumstances. The assessment follows the scope of the procedure and does not replace an individual check.
- You travel alone to a European country with a German passport. You do not need an ETIAS authorisation.
- You travel with a German passport together with a partner who holds a passport of a visa-exempt state. For your partner, ETIAS can become relevant once the system starts. Check the situation before booking.
- You travel to a country outside Europe on a work-and-travel visa. The visa question of that country then comes first, not ETIAS.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ETIAS authorisation as a German?
No. ETIAS is aimed at visa-exempt non-EU citizens. German citizens are EU citizens and fall outside the procedure. A valid travel document is enough to enter the Schengen area.
How much is the ETIAS fee?
The Commission gives 20 euros for adults. The previous rate was 7 euros. According to the Commission, the increase is linked to the operation of the system and does not apply before launch.
When does ETIAS start?
The Commission page contains no binding date. The Commission announces the launch several months in advance. Until then, figures from press articles should be treated with caution, because they can contradict each other.
Is ETIAS the same as a visa?
No. A visa is issued after an examination by the consular post. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers and does not replace a visa. Anyone who needs a visa must still apply for it.
What applies if I have a second passport?
That depends on the document you present at entry. If you enter with a German passport, you are treated as an EU citizen. For entry with another passport, the rules for that nationality apply, and you should ask the competent authority in advance.
What to do now
- Check your nationality and the travel document you will enter with.
- For each destination, ask the competent consular post of that country in Germany whether a visa is required.
- Follow the announcements of the European Commission if travel companions without a German passport are part of your trip.
- Clarify your insurance cover abroad before you book.
Related guides
- Work and Travel: the overview of countries, visas and budget (German hub, in German)
- Visa-free travel: which countries are open to Germans without a visa (in German)
- Calculating your Schengen stay: how the 90/180-day rule works (in German)
- Travel health insurance for Erasmus, USA and work and travel (English guide)
- Mobile phones abroad: EU roaming, eSIM and costs (in German)
Sources: European Commission, page on the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (date stated on page: October 2025) and Federal Foreign Office, Germany, visa questions for trips abroad (no date).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
