Traveling to Europe has long seemed easy for passport holders from countries with visa-free access. I bought a ticket, packed my suitcase and flew out. But starting from the end of 2026, the rules are changing. The European Union is launching ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), and this is no longer a recommendation, but a prerequisite. Without this document, airlines simply won’t let you on the flight. For travelers, proper planning now means not only preparing documents but also considering coverage options like travel insurance in Dubai to stay protected against unexpected risks.
Why ETIAS Becomes Mandatory
The system was conceived as a lightweight filter. In fact, this is a digital check that allows you to identify risks in advance. Your questionnaire will be checked against the SIS, VIS, Europol and Interpol databases. Criminal records, recent trips to conflict zones, and past refusals of entry can all lead to additional questions.
But it’s worth emphasizing: ETIAS is not a visa. A visa remains a more complicated process, and ETIAS is just a quick pass for short trips. Tourism, business, short-term education, medical treatment in these cases, the system is suitable. Work or long-term study only for other documents.
Facts That Are Important To Know
- Start of work: the last quarter of 2026.
- Cost: €20 (previously €7).
- Validity period: up to three years or until the end of the passport.
- Duration of stay: 90 days over a 180-day period.
- Benefits: free of charge for children under 18 and adults over 70.
- Review period: from minutes to 96 hours, in difficult cases up to 30 days.
Approximately 5% of applications may be rejected. Sometimes the reason is a minor mistake in the questionnaire. Sometimes there are serious reasons, like a previous deportation.
How This Relates To Insurance
And that’s where something that many people forget comes into play. Travel insurance.
Imagine: you have last-minute tickets, a paid hotel, but ETIAS is delayed. The application form has been checked, the deadline is dragging on, and the trip is in jeopardy. In this case, only a policy with the option to cancel the trip will save you from losses.
Another point: at the border in a number of countries, they may ask for proof of health insurance. Without it, you risk being denied entry or incurring unforeseen expenses. Many travelers today also compare coverage through an insurance broker dubai, since professionals often suggest packages that combine ETIAS-related travel risks with medical and cancellation protection.
Traveling without insurance is a lottery game. Yes, ETIAS confirms your safety for Europe, but it does not cover the costs if you get sick, lose your luggage, or get stuck due to a cancelled flight.
ETIAS And EES: Two Systems Side By Side
It is important to remember that EES (Entry/Exit System) will be launched six months before ETIAS, approximately in October 2025. This system will replace the stamps in your passport and will record your every border crossing. Moreover, it will collect biometrics: fingerprints and a photo. ETIAS will be its logical continuation.
Internal Audits Until 2026
Temporary internal borders also complicate the situation. Germany and Poland have already extended the control until the spring of 2026. France, Italy and the Netherlands have left inspections until the end of 2025. This means that even with ETIAS in hand, you can still get in a long queue and show additional documents. And again, insurance in such conditions becomes proof of your readiness and seriousness of intentions.
What Travelers Should Remember
Yes, ETIAS is postponed. Yes, you have time to prepare. But that’s no reason to relax.
- Check your passport: it must be valid for at least three months after the trip.
- Apply one to two weeks before departure.
- Be sure to get travel insurance covering medicine, baggage, and cancellation of the trip.
- Keep copies of all documents in digital form.
Europe remains accessible. But now the path there will become a little more formalized. And the sooner you include not only ETIAS, but also insurance in your planning, the more relaxed and reliable each trip will be.
Skier, follower of Christ, guitarist, Saul Bass fan and holistic designer. Producing at the junction of art and sustainability to craft meaningful ideas that endure. I prefer clear logic to decoration.