Does Every Child Need a Separate ETIAS Application?

Yes, if the child is required to have ETIAS. The authorisation belongs to the individual traveller and is linked to that child's passport. A parent or legal guardian must submit an application for a traveller under 18.

ETIAS is not operating and is not accepting applications as of August 10, 2026. The European Union says it will announce the exact start date several months before launch. Source 1

A child is not covered by a parent's ETIAS

The official ETIAS guidance says all visa-free travellers who need ETIAS must hold an authorisation regardless of age. It also says applicants under 18 are exempt from the application fee. Source 2

That produces two separate questions:

The application rule and fee rule come from the Commission's application guidance. Source 3

Do not place the child's passport number inside a parent's application or assume one family approval covers everyone. The official overview says an ETIAS authorisation is linked to the traveller's passport. It remains valid for up to three years or until that passport expires, whichever happens first. A new passport requires a new ETIAS authorisation. Source 1

First check whether ETIAS applies to the child

Age does not decide whether ETIAS applies. The official eligibility page bases the requirement on the traveller's nationality, travel document, status, and intended short stay in a country requiring ETIAS. It also lists categories that do not need an authorisation, including certain residence-card, residence-permit, visa, and family-member cases. Source 4

For each child, check:

1. The nationality attached to the passport that will be used.
2. Whether that nationality is visa-exempt for the planned trip.
3. Whether the child holds a residence card, residence permit, visa, or other document listed by the official eligibility page.
4. Whether the planned destination is among the countries requiring ETIAS.
5. Whether the child will use the same passport for the application and journey.

Do this separately for siblings. Children in one family can hold different nationalities, passports, residence documents, or immigration statuses. The official eligibility test attaches to the traveller and document, not to the household. Source 4

Who may submit for a minor

The Commission says an application for someone under 18 has to be submitted by a person exercising permanent or temporary parental authority or legal guardianship. Source 3

The parent or guardian will need the child's travel document and the personal information requested for the child. The official application page lists information such as name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents' first names, contact details, passport details, intended travel, education and occupation details, and specified background questions. Source 3

If another person or a commercial intermediary submits the application, the official guidance requires a declaration of representation. It says a separate declaration is needed for every represented traveller, including each minor. Source 5

Keep a copy of the signed declaration. The Commission describes it as evidence that the applicant authorised the other person to submit the application and entrusted personal data to that person. Source 5

The fee exemption does not remove the application

The standard application fee shown by the official ETIAS site is EUR 20, but applicants under 18 are exempt from paying it. Source 3

The exemption concerns payment only. It does not allow an in-scope child to travel under a parent's authorisation. The official ETIAS myths page directly distinguishes the age-independent authorisation requirement from the under-18 fee exemption. Source 2

Do not pay a third-party site while official applications are closed. The EU says applications will be available through the official ETIAS website or mobile app once the system starts. Source 1

What to record for a family journey

Create a separate record for every traveller. For each child, retain:

• the passport used for the application and journey;
• passport issue and expiry dates;
• the ETIAS application number and decision email once applications open;
• the parent or guardian who submitted the application;
• any declaration of representation used;
• the authorisation expiry date;
• actual entry and exit dates for every country visited.

ETIAS does not replace day counting. The official overview says a valid authorisation permits short stays, normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but does not guarantee entry. Border authorities still check whether the traveller meets entry conditions. Source 1

Use the Schengen rolling-window guide for the separate presence calculation. Record each child's dates independently, even when the whole family travels together.

Frequently asked questions

References

1. 1Official ETIAS overview, retrieved August 10, 2026
2. 2Official ETIAS myths and facts, retrieved August 10, 2026
3. 3What you need to apply, retrieved August 10, 2026
4. 4Who should apply for ETIAS, retrieved August 10, 2026
5. 5Applying on behalf of others, retrieved August 10, 2026