If you hold more than one passport, decide which document you will use for European travel before ETIAS begins. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System will apply to visa-exempt visitors travelling for short stays to 30 European countries. As of 24 July 2026, the EU still schedules its launch for the final quarter of 2026. Applications are not yet open.
ETIAS will cost €20 and normally remain valid for three years or until the travel document used in the application expires, whichever comes first. It will be electronically linked to that passport. Applicants under 18 and over 70 will not pay the fee, although they will still need an authorisation unless another exemption applies.

One authorisation, one passport

ETIAS is not stored on the passport chip. The authorisation is linked electronically to the passport details entered in the application. Carriers will check for it before departure, and border authorities will verify it when the document is scanned.

If you hold passports from two visa-exempt countries, you may choose which one to use. However, you must apply and travel with the same document. Presenting another passport means the authorisation cannot be matched. Renewing or replacing the chosen passport also requires a new ETIAS application.

Use the official EU ETIAS portal when applications open. Third-party websites may charge additional fees and cannot guarantee faster approval.

Not every passport has the same position

A UK passport will require ETIAS after launch. Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts and Nevis currently have visa-free arrangements with the EU, so eligible holders of those passports will also generally require ETIAS for short visits. This access is one consideration when reviewing St Lucia citizenship or the St Kitts and Nevis programme.

A passport from a visa-required country needs a Schengen visa instead. If you hold an EU or Irish passport, you are exempt from ETIAS and should use that document for European travel. The distinction between residency by investment and citizenship by investment matters because residence permits and passports create different rights.

Document you hold	ETIAS position	What to check
UK passport	Required after launch	Issued within the previous 10 years and normally valid for three months beyond departure
Visa-exempt Caribbean passport	Required after launch	Current visa-free status and matching passport details
Visa-required passport	A visa is required instead	Schengen visa rules for the destination
EU or Irish passport	Not required	Use this document for European travel
Qualifying residence permit	Usually not required	Issuing country, validity and document type

Check the details before applying

Every traveller needs a separate application, including children. Enter the name, passport number and other information exactly as shown on the chosen passport. The travel booking and ETIAS details should match the document presented to the carrier.

The passport should have been issued within the previous 10 years and normally remain valid for at least three months after the intended departure. ETIAS does not guarantee entry, and the normal 90-days-in-any-180-days limit will continue to apply.

When residence or citizenship changes the position

A valid residence permit issued by an ETIAS-participating country will generally exempt its holder from ETIAS, subject to the issuing country and document type. It also permits residence in the issuing country, although travel elsewhere remains subject to the applicable rules.

Families considering longer-term European access may compare a Greece golden visa, a Portugal golden visa or Italy’s investor visa in 2026. The Greece golden visa requirements page explains how residence interacts with the 90/180-day rule.

EU citizenship removes the ETIAS requirement. A Turkey citizenship by investment route serves different objectives and does not currently give ordinary Turkish passport holders visa-free Schengen access.

Compare the best golden visa in Europe, review the EU citizenship guide for 2026 and browse the full residency and citizenship programmes before choosing a route.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need ETIAS with a Caribbean passport?

Yes, if that passport remains visa-exempt when you travel and no other exemption applies. Check the official EU position before applying.

Which passport should a dual citizen use?

Use an EU or Irish passport if you hold one. Otherwise, choose a visa-exempt passport and use it consistently for the application, booking and journey.

Do I need a new ETIAS after renewing my passport?

Yes. ETIAS is linked to the passport used in the application, so a replacement passport requires a new authorisation.

Speak to Coates Global if you are reviewing a second passport or European residence route. Book a consultation to review your options.