Europe is finishing its rebuild of border control. Two systems get confused constantly:
- EES (Entry/Exit System) - electronic registration of entries and exits with biometrics. It launched on 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational at every external border crossing point since 10 April 2026.
- ETIAS - a pre-travel authorisation for nationals of visa-exempt countries. Launch is expected in Q4 2026, with the exact date announced in advance.
The question our clients actually ask is whether it affects them. Usually not - provided you hold a residence card.
Who is exempt from ETIAS
ETIAS is designed for nationals of roughly 59 visa-exempt countries travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180.
Exempt:
- holders of a Karta Pobytu and other Schengen residence permits;
- holders of national D visas;
- EU, EEA and Swiss nationals;
- family members of EU nationals exercising free movement rights with the relevant document;
- holders of long-stay visas from other Schengen states.
The logic is simple: ETIAS serves visa-free travel. A stay already legalised by a permit is not visa-free travel, so ETIAS does not apply.
EES follows the same logic - it registers short-stay travellers, and residence permit holders fall outside its scope.
Who will need ETIAS
| Citizenship | Entry regime | ETIAS |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine (biometric passport) | visa-free | yes, once live |
| Georgia, Moldova, Albania, Serbia | visa-free | yes |
| UK, US, Canada, Japan | visa-free | yes |
| Turkey | Schengen visa | not applicable |
| Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan | Schengen visa | not applicable |
| Holder of a Schengen residence card | residence permit | no |
One distinction matters: ETIAS does not replace a visa. Nationals who need a Schengen visa neither apply for nor require ETIAS - their procedure is different.
How it will work
The application is filed online before travel. Expected parameters:
- a EUR 20 fee for applicants aged 18 to 70; free for those under 18 and over 70;
- validity of three years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first;
- multiple entries within the 90/180 rule;
- a decision usually within minutes, or days where additional checks apply.
ETIAS attaches to a specific passport. Replace the passport and you apply again, even if the authorisation has not expired - the same logic as the American ESTA.
What it means if you live in Poland
Three practical consequences.
1. The residence card gets more useful. Beyond the right to live and work, it takes you outside both ETIAS and EES - noticeable time saved at borders if you travel often.
2. The 90/180 rule has not gone anywhere. EES now counts your days automatically, without stamps and without room for error. A border officer used to count stamps by hand and might miss an overstay; the system now shows the exact balance. For anyone living between countries that is a material change - how 90/180 is counted.
3. Moving from visa-free travel to a residence card makes even more sense, particularly for Ukrainian nationals as UKR status winds down - deadlines and the transition.
Common misunderstandings
"ETIAS is a visa." No. It is a pre-travel authorisation for visa-free entry, comparable to the American ESTA or the British ETA.
"ETIAS grants the right to work." No. Work rights come from a work permit.
"With ETIAS I can live in Europe for three years." No. Three years is the authorisation's validity; the stay stays capped at 90 days in 180.
"With ETIAS they must let me in." No. The border officer always makes the final call.
What we do
ETIAS is an online form and needs no intermediary - we say so plainly. Our work starts where 90 days stops being enough:
- Choosing the residence basis for your situation: work, business, family, study.
- Counting your days under 90/180 if you already live between countries and are unsure of the balance.
- Invitations (zaproszenie) for relatives and business partners - how we prepare them.
- Airport pickup and assistance in the first days: odbiór z lotniska.
If you are planning a move, start with our legal stay support for people moving to Poland.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly does ETIAS launch? Q4 2026 is expected. The EU announces the date months in advance, and a transitional period follows the launch.
Does a child need ETIAS? Yes, every traveller needs an authorisation, though it is free for those under 18 and over 70.
What happens if I travel without ETIAS after launch? The carrier must check the authorisation at boarding, so in practice you will not be allowed on the flight.
I hold a residence card but a third-country passport. Do I need ETIAS? No. A valid Schengen residence permit exempts you. Carry the card with your passport.
I filed for a residence card and hold a UPO. Does that exempt me? The UPO confirms filing and legalises your stay in Poland, but it is not a residence permit for ETIAS purposes. Travel outside Poland while the case is pending needs separate analysis.
Does ETIAS replace fingerprints at the border? No, they are different systems. EES collects biometrics at the border; ETIAS is a pre-travel check.
For most of our clients ETIAS is good news in reverse: it underlines how much easier a residence card is than counting out another 90 days.
If your trips to Europe have become regular, it may be time for a residence card in Poland - we will work out which basis fits you.
This material is informational and reflects EU plans as at the date of publication. Consult a lawyer about your situation.