For years, Americans have been hearing that they’ll soon need an ETIAS travel authorization to visit much of Europe. But despite repeated announcements about its impending arrival, the system still isn’t operational—and travelers can’t apply for one yet.

That will eventually change. When the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, better known as ETIAS, goes into effect, travelers from the United States and dozens of other countries that currently enjoy visa-free travel to much of Europe will need to secure an electronic authorization before departure. The requirement will apply to 30 European countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, and Iceland.

For now, however, the European Union says ETIAS is “currently not in operation,” no applications are being collected, and travelers don’t need to take any action. The EU has also dropped its previous fourth-quarter 2026 launch window and says it will announce a specific start date several months before ETIAS goes live.

Once it does, the new requirement shouldn’t be particularly burdensome for most travelers. Applications will cost €20, most are expected to be processed within minutes, and approvals will generally remain valid for three years. But there are a few easy-to-miss details that could cause considerably bigger headaches—including being denied boarding for a Europe-bound flight.

“Misconceptions about the program come up constantly,” says Antoinette Leon, COO of ItsEasy.com Passport & Visa Services.

Here are some of the biggest mistakes to avoid once ETIAS finally arrives.

Mistake No. 1: Assuming ETIAS is already required

The most immediate mistake travelers can make is trying to get an ETIAS before one exists.

“Because ETIAS has been widely reported in the news for years, many travelers assume it is already live,” Leon says. “People frequently call or email us asking us for our services for their ETIAS application for an upcoming trip next month.”

At the moment, there is no application to submit. The official EU ETIAS site explicitly says the system is not operational, applications aren’t being collected, and no action is required from travelers.

That also means travelers should be wary of websites offering to get them an ETIAS now.

“Until the official system launches, there is no legitimate ETIAS application to submit and no reason to hand over passport details or payment information for one,” Leon says.

Once applications open, travelers will be able to apply through the official EU ETIAS website or mobile app.

Mistake No. 2: Treating ETIAS like a traditional visa

Despite years of headlines referring to ETIAS as Europe’s “visa” for Americans, it isn’t one.

ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization for travelers who don’t need a visa to enter participating European countries. Think of it more like the United States’ ESTA or Canada’s eTA: eligible travelers fill out an online application before departure rather than visiting a consulate or having a physical visa placed in their passport.

Once approved, an ETIAS will generally remain valid for three years and can be used for multiple trips, provided the passport connected to it remains valid. It won’t change the existing rules governing how long Americans can visit: travelers will generally still be limited to stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Mistake No. 3: Waiting until you’re at the airport to apply

Most travelers shouldn’t have to wait long for an ETIAS approval. The EU says most applications will be processed within minutes.

But “most” is the important word.

Some applications can take up to four days to process. If additional information or documentation is required, that window can be extended by up to 14 days; travelers asked to attend an interview could wait up to 30 days. The EU therefore recommends applying well in advance of a planned trip.

That’s particularly relevant for Americans accustomed to booking spontaneous Europe trips.

“For decades, Americans holding a valid U.S. passport could buy a ticket to Paris or Rome and board a flight two hours later without a second thought,” Leon says.

Once ETIAS is fully implemented, assuming you can simply fill out the application while standing at the airline check-in counter could be an expensive gamble.

Mistake No. 4: Renewing your passport and assuming your ETIAS comes with you

“Right now, the best thing you can do for ETIAS is to focus on your passport,” Leon says.

That’s because an ETIAS authorization won’t simply be attached to a traveler’s identity. It will be digitally linked to the specific passport used to apply.

An ETIAS will be valid for up to three years or until that passport expires, whichever comes first. If you renew your passport—even if your ETIAS otherwise has years left before its expiration date—you’ll need to obtain a new authorization.

For travelers whose passports are approaching expiration, it may therefore make sense to renew before applying for ETIAS once the system launches rather than paying for an authorization that will become invalid when the passport does.

Mistake No. 5: Traveling with a different passport than the one linked to your ETIAS

This is where a seemingly small mistake could actually stop a trip before it starts.

When ETIAS is in effect, airlines and other carriers will check a traveler’s authorization before boarding. Because ETIAS is electronically linked to the passport used in the application, travelers will need to present that same document.

The EU is explicit about the consequences: Arrive with a different passport and you won’t be allowed to board your flight, bus, or ship—or enter one of the countries requiring ETIAS.

This could be particularly relevant to dual citizens who routinely travel with more than one passport, as well as anyone who has had a passport lost, stolen, damaged, or replaced between applying for ETIAS and taking a trip.

Mistake No. 6: Not checking the information on your ETIAS approval

Travelers should also resist the urge to glance at the approval email and forget about it.

The EU advises applicants to check their name, passport number, and other information as soon as an ETIAS authorization is issued. If the details don’t correspond with the traveler’s passport, the authorization can create problems at both the airline check and the border. The EU’s guidance warns that travelers whose passport details don’t match their ETIAS can be refused boarding and entry.

Mistake No. 7: Assuming your airline or travel advisor will take care of ETIAS

Airlines will have a role in enforcing ETIAS, but that doesn’t mean they’re responsible for getting one for you.

Once the requirement is fully in force, carriers will verify that eligible travelers have valid authorization before allowing them to board. The application itself, however, remains the traveler’s responsibility.

“We hear from travelers who think their airline or travel agent will automatically take care of ETIAS for them,” Leon says. “Ultimately, travelers will need to understand their own requirements and make sure they have the proper authorization before departure.”

The good news is that travelers don’t have to worry about any of this quite yet. ETIAS remains on hold, applications aren’t being accepted, and the EU has promised several months’ notice before it launches. Even after that, the system is expected to have a six-month transitional period during which eligible travelers without ETIAS can generally still enter if they otherwise meet entry requirements, followed by a six-month grace period with more limited exceptions.

For now, Leon’s advice is considerably simpler: make sure your passport is valid, ignore anyone offering to sell you an ETIAS today, and add an entry-requirements check to your pre-trip routine. Once ETIAS finally arrives, a few minutes of preparation could be the difference between boarding your Europe-bound flight and watching it leave without you.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com