Home › ETIAS Guide › ETIAS by Nationality › Taiwanese Citizens
Last Updated: October 2026
Taiwanese citizens will need ETIAS — Europe’s new pre-travel authorisation — once it launches.
⚠️ October 2026 Update: ETIAS Has No Confirmed Launch Date
In mid-July 2026, the EU quietly removed the “last quarter of 2026” launch target from the official ETIAS website. Financial Times reporting cited eu-LISA (the EU agency building ETIAS) as having internally concluded a 2026 launch is no longer feasible. As of 22 October 2026, no new date has been announced, and the official EU ETIAS page says the system is not yet operating. See our launch date tracker for the running record.
⚡ Quick Reference for Taiwanese Citizens
| What | ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) |
| When | 2027 now most likely — Q4 2026 target removed July 2026. See timeline |
| Cost | €20 per application — free for under-18s and over-70s |
| Valid for | 3 years or until your passport expires |
| Processing | Most approved in minutes |
| Covers | 30 European countries |
| Passport requirement | Must contain national ID card number — passports without it don’t qualify |
| Covers UK? | No — the UK requires a separate UK ETA (£20), which Taiwanese citizens have needed since January 2025 |
🛂 Visiting the UK Too? You’ll Need a UK ETA
Taiwanese citizens need a UK ETA (£20, valid 2 years) to enter Britain. It’s separate from ETIAS, and iVisa handles the application end-to-end.
When ETIAS eventually launches, iVisa will handle ETIAS applications too.
Apply for UK ETA with iVisa →Affiliate partner — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What Is ETIAS?
ETIAS is an automated pre-screening system being introduced by the EU to strengthen border security without removing visa-free travel rights for trusted nationalities. Before boarding your flight or crossing a Schengen land border, you’ll complete a short online application — similar to the US ESTA. No embassy visit, no biometrics, no paper forms required at this stage.
Your details are checked against EU and international security databases. The vast majority of applicants are expected to receive automatic approval within minutes.
The Taiwan Passport ID Number Requirement
Taiwanese citizens qualify for Schengen visa-free access — and will qualify for ETIAS — only if their passport contains a national ID card number. This requirement has been in place since Taiwan’s visa-free Schengen access was established. When applying for ETIAS, ensure your passport includes this number. If your current passport does not, contact the National Immigration Agency in Taiwan to renew or update it before applying.
Do All Taiwanese Citizens Need ETIAS?
All Taiwanese passport holders who travel visa-free to Schengen will need ETIAS once operational. Exceptions include:
- EU/Schengen residence permit holders: A valid EU residence permit or Schengen national long-stay visa (Type D) exempts you from ETIAS for that trip.
- Children under 18 and adults over 70: ETIAS is free for these age groups, though the application is still required.
ETIAS Cost for Taiwanese Citizens
The ETIAS fee is €20 per person. The fee is charged in euros; the amount in New Taiwan dollars depends on the exchange rate your bank applies on the day of payment, plus any card fees.
ETIAS is free for children under 18 and adults over 70. The €20 fee applies to everyone aged 18–70.
ETIAS Validity
Once approved, your ETIAS is valid for three years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. Unlimited trips to all 30 ETIAS countries are permitted within that period. A new passport requires a new ETIAS.
Which Countries Does ETIAS Cover?
A single ETIAS covers all 30 participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Popular Schengen destinations for Taiwanese travellers include France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic — all covered by one ETIAS.
How to Apply for ETIAS
Once operational, the ETIAS application will be entirely online via the official EU ETIAS website. The process:
- Complete the online form — personal information, passport details (including your ID card number), travel history, and security questions.
- Pay €20 — by credit or debit card.
- Receive your decision — most applicants will receive automatic approval within minutes. Some may wait up to 96 hours or, rarely, up to 30 days.
- Save your ETIAS confirmation — linked digitally to your passport number. No printing required.
ETIAS vs. Current Entry for Taiwanese Citizens
| Detail | Before ETIAS (now) | After ETIAS |
|---|---|---|
| Visa required? | No | No |
| Pre-travel authorisation? | Not required | ETIAS required |
| Fee | Free | €20 |
| Maximum stay | 90 days in 180 | 90 days in 180 (unchanged) |
| Validity | Per trip | 3 years / passport expiry |
The 90/180-Day Rule — What Taiwanese Travellers Need to Know
ETIAS does not change how long you can stay in Europe. Taiwanese citizens remain subject to the 90/180-day rule: a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Days in France count the same as days in Italy or Germany — it is a combined total across all Schengen countries.
For stays longer than 90 days, apply for a national long-stay visa (Type D) from a specific Schengen country before departing Taiwan.
🛡️ Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Your Europe Trip
ETIAS authorises your entry, but it doesn’t cover a medical emergency abroad. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and emergency evacuation across 180+ countries — with no long-term commitment required.
Get a Quote from SafetyWing →Affiliate partner — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When Will ETIAS Launch?
The ETIAS launch is currently under review. The previously confirmed Q4 2026 target was removed from the official EU ETIAS website in mid-July 2026 following Financial Times reporting that eu-LISA had concluded a 2026 launch was no longer feasible. 2027 is now the most likely outcome, and no new date had been announced as of 22 October 2026. Once ETIAS launches, a transitional period of at least six months is planned, during which holding an ETIAS is not yet compulsory.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does ETIAS start for Taiwanese citizens?
No confirmed start date exists. The Q4 2026 target that had been on the official EU ETIAS page was removed in mid-July 2026 following Financial Times reporting that eu-LISA had concluded a 2026 launch was no longer feasible. 2027 is the most likely outcome, and no new date had been announced as of 22 October 2026. See our launch date tracker for updates.
Does my Taiwan passport need an ID card number for ETIAS?
Yes. Schengen visa-free access for Taiwan applies only to passports containing a national ID card number. The same requirement will apply to ETIAS. If your passport lacks this number, update it before applying.
How much is ETIAS in New Taiwan dollars?
The fee is €20. The amount in New Taiwan dollars depends on the exchange rate on the day you pay, plus any card fees.
Does ETIAS cover Japan or South Korea trips?
No. ETIAS only covers Europe’s 30 ETIAS countries. Japan and South Korea have their own entry requirements.
Can I apply for ETIAS before my passport is about to expire?
You can, but your ETIAS validity will be limited to your passport expiry date. It’s better to renew your passport first, then apply for ETIAS, to get the full three-year validity.
What if my ETIAS application is denied?
If refused, you’ll receive a written explanation and can appeal or apply for a standard Schengen visa through the relevant embassy.
Does ETIAS cover the UK?
No. The UK is not part of Schengen. The UK has a separate Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Taiwanese citizens — see our UK ETA guide for details.
🌍 There’s More to Plan Than ETIAS
The free Europe Travel Planner builds one personalised briefing for your passport and route: entry requirements, your 90/180 stay limit, local currencies, plug adapters, eSIM data, and driving rules across 45+ countries. No signup.
Build My Free Travel Briefing →📚 Related Articles
- ETIAS Launch Date — the running record of delays and updates
- ETIAS: Complete Guide — the full breakdown of Europe’s new travel authorisation
- UK ETA: Complete Guide — the separate authorisation for the UK leg of your trip
- ETIAS vs ESTA — the familiar US ESTA comparison
- ETIAS Cost & Fees Explained — the €20 breakdown and exemptions
- Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES) — the biometric system already operating
- The 90/180-Day Schengen Rule Explained — stay limits that apply with your ETIAS