ETIAS – what is it? Did you know? You might be surprised to find out who will need ETIAS. The system has been delayed several times, but it now has a confirmed target: the European Commission and EU Home Affairs Ministers have set the launch for the last quarter of 2026 (Q4 2026), with a phased rollout continuing into 2027. Once it goes live, citizens of the roughly 60 countries that currently travel to Europe visa-free will need an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter the Schengen area for tourism, business, medical visits, or transit, for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Why the launch keeps moving ETIAS depends on the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), which registers the entries and exits of non-EU travellers. EES only became fully operational on 10 April 2026, which was the main reason ETIAS itself couldn't launch earlier. With that prerequisite now in place, ETIAS is on track for Q4 2026 — most likely October or November — though the European Commission has said it will confirm the exact date a few months in advance.
What ETIAS actually is ETIAS is not a visa. It's a travel authorisation, similar to the US ESTA: a pre-screening step for travellers who don't currently need a visa to enter the Schengen area. It doesn't grant the right to work or study — anyone planning to do that in Latvia still needs the appropriate visa or residence permit, exactly as before.
Key facts travellers should know
Who needs it: citizens of visa-free countries (around 60 nationalities, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) travelling to any Schengen country, including Latvia.
Cost: EUR 20 per application. Applicants under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the fee.
Validity: three years, or until the traveller's passport expires — whichever comes first.
Application: submitted online before departure; most applicants (around 95%) get a decision within minutes, though it can take up to 96 hours if extra checks are triggered, or up to four weeks if additional documents are requested.
Not required for: EU/EEA citizens, and dual nationals travelling on their EU passport.
Why this matters if you're relocating to Latvia For most of our clients — highly qualified professionals applying for a residence permit — ETIAS itself isn't the main hurdle; a Blue Card or employment-based residence permit already covers entry and the right to work. Where it matters is for family members or guests visiting on a tourist basis before or during the relocation process, and for anyone attending an in-person meeting, interview, or property viewing in Latvia while their residence permit application is still underway. Once ETIAS launches, it's worth checking whether your dependants or visiting relatives fall under it, and applying online in good time before travel.
We'll keep this post updated as the European Commission confirms the exact 2026 launch date. If you have questions about how ETIAS interacts with your specific relocation plan, feel free to reach out for a consultation.
