Israeli passport holders can currently enter the Schengen area for short stays without a visa. That is expected to change in one small way: a quick online pre-travel authorisation called ETIAS. Here is what is known as of October 2026, and what is still unconfirmed.
What ETIAS is
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a pre-travel authorisation for visitors from visa-exempt countries. It is not a visa. You apply online before you travel, a bit like the US ESTA. Several guides, such as Europe Visa, confirm that Israeli citizens will need it for short stays in the Schengen area once the system is running.
When does it start?
The launch is expected in the last quarter of 2026, and the EU is expected to announce the exact date several months in advance, according to reports such as Deep Arrival. At the time of writing we could not confirm a final start date from the official source, so treat any exact date you see online as unverified until the EU publishes it. Check the official EU ETIAS site before you book.
How much does it cost?
The fee was confirmed by the European Commission in July 2025 as €20, up from the original €7 plan. Reports say applicants under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee. Be careful of third-party websites that add their own service fees: apply only on the official EU site.
What this means for your trip
- If you are travelling before ETIAS starts, the current rules apply, so check your passport validity and entry requirements for the specific country.
- If you are booking for late 2026 or 2027, plan to complete the ETIAS application a few days before you fly, once it is live.
- ETIAS is separate from the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which records border crossings.
A simple checklist
- Check that your passport is valid for the whole trip.
- Watch for the official ETIAS launch announcement.
- Apply only through the official EU website.
- Keep travel insurance and proof of accommodation handy.
Plan the trip
- Compare live flights from Tel Aviv to Athens
- Tel Aviv to Prague
- Tel Aviv to Budapest
- Compare travel insurance
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