Visa-free travel is valuable, but it is never guaranteed permanently. As of June 2026, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia can still make short visa-free visits to the Schengen Area. New screening requirements and stronger EU suspension powers mean travellers should nevertheless check the rules before every journey.

What ETIAS will change

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or ETIAS, is expected to begin operating in the final quarter of 2026. An exact launch date has not yet been announced. It will apply to visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 participating European countries for short stays.

ETIAS is not a Schengen visa and does not remove the underlying visa exemption. Travellers will complete an online application before departure. The authorisation will normally remain valid for 3 years or until the passport used for the application expires.

The fee will be €20, although travellers under 18 or over 70 will not pay it. Most decisions are expected within minutes and should normally be issued within 96 hours. A case can take longer where additional information or an interview is required, potentially extending the process to 30 days.

ETIAS will be followed by transitional and grace periods lasting at least 12 months in total. Carriers will eventually be required to verify authorisation before boarding.

Passport	Current short-stay EU position
Antigua and Barbuda	Visa-free; ETIAS will apply when operational
Dominica	Visa-free; ETIAS will apply when operational
Grenada	Visa-free; ETIAS will apply when operational
St Kitts and Nevis	Visa-free; ETIAS will apply when operational
St Lucia	Visa-free; ETIAS will apply when operational
Vanuatu	Visa required following removal of the exemption

Why the Vanuatu decision matters

The EU partially suspended Vanuatu’s visa waiver in 2022 and later applied a full suspension. In December 2024, the Council removed Vanuatu from the visa-exempt list because of security and migration concerns connected with its investor citizenship schemes.

That decision shows that visa-free access can be withdrawn. EU rules adopted in 2025 also make the operation of an investor citizenship scheme without a genuine link to the country a specific ground for suspending visa-free travel.

The European Commission’s latest monitoring report estimated that the 5 Eastern Caribbean programmes had issued around 107,000 passports. It recognised reforms, including a harmonised minimum investment threshold of US$200,000 and stronger information-sharing, but continued to describe the programmes as a significant concern.

Physical-presence rules are still developing

Regional proposals have included a minimum 30-day physical-presence requirement during the first 5 years of citizenship. Applicants should not treat that proposal as a single rule already operating identically across all 5 countries.

Current requirements differ. Antigua and Barbuda, for example, states that an investor citizen must spend at least 5 days in the country during the first 5 calendar years. Applications should therefore be assessed against the official rules in force at the time.

What passport holders and applicants should do

Avoid relying solely on passport rankings. Destination totals vary because publishers count visas on arrival, electronic visas and travel authorisations differently. A ranking may also lag behind a recent rule change.

Before travelling, check the destination’s official rules, passport validity, transit requirements and any electronic authorisation. Also confirm that citizenship and passport-renewal conditions have been met.

When comparing Grenada citizenship by investment, St Lucia citizenship by investment and Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment, consider due diligence, investment level, family eligibility, physical presence, renewal requirements and treaty access. Wider citizenship by investment programmes may provide different benefits, but no adviser can guarantee that another country will preserve visa-free access indefinitely.

Frequently asked questions

Will ETIAS end visa-free Schengen access?

No. ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers. The 5 Eastern Caribbean countries currently retain visa-free access, although the EU continues to monitor their programmes.

Does an approved ETIAS guarantee entry?

No. It permits travel to the border, where officials can still refuse entry if the normal short-stay conditions are not met.

Plan for travel rights that can change

A second passport can improve mobility, but it should be treated as one part of a wider residence, citizenship and travel strategy. Contact Coates Global to review current programme requirements and understand how regulatory changes may affect your plans.