A child needs their own passport, their own ETIAS (free, once it starts) or a visa depending on nationality, and it's wise to carry a signed consent letter if they travel alone or with only one parent. Children under 12 aren't fingerprinted by the EES.
Documents
- Their own valid passport.
- Their own ETIAS (€0 for under-18s) or visa.
- Birth certificate or proof of relationship, if surnames differ.
- Notarized consent letter if traveling without one or both parents.
Check your home country's rules too
Some countries require exit permits for minors traveling without one or both parents. Check with your country's immigration authority before you travel.
Travelling with one parent, grandparents or a school group
There is no single Schengen rule on consent letters: each country sets its own, and border officers everywhere are trained to watch for child abduction and trafficking. In practice, if a child under 18 travels without both parents (with one parent, grandparents, an aunt or uncle, or a school or sports group), officers may ask how the adult is related to the child and whether the absent parent agrees.
A signed consent letter, plus a copy of the absent parent's passport and the child's birth certificate (especially when surnames differ), is the simplest way to avoid delays. Some countries, such as Spain or Portugal for minors resident there, have formal permission forms; for visitors, a clear letter is usually enough.
What to put in a consent letter (template)
Write it in English (or the language of the country you visit) and include:
- Full name, date of birth and passport number of the child.
- Full names, addresses, phone numbers and passport numbers of the parent(s) giving consent.
- Name and passport number of the adult travelling with the child (or the group leader).
- Destination countries, travel dates and flight numbers if you have them.
- A sentence such as: "I, [name], parent of [child], consent to my child travelling to [countries] from [date] to [date] with [adult]."
- Signature(s) and date. Having it notarised is not mandatory everywhere, but it makes the letter much harder to question.
Carry the original, a copy of the absent parent's ID and, if a court order gives you sole custody, a copy of it.
Children, the EES and ETIAS
- Passport: every child, including babies, needs their own passport.
- EES: children under 12 have only their photo taken, no fingerprints. From 12, they register like adults.
- ETIAS: each child will need their own authorisation, free of charge until 18. A parent can apply on their behalf. More on ETIAS for children.
Frequently asked questions
Does a child's ETIAS cost anything?
No, it's free until 18.
Can grandparents travel to Europe with grandchildren?
Yes. Carry a consent letter signed by both parents, copies of the parents' passports and the child's birth certificate to show the family link.
Does the consent letter have to be notarised?
Not under a general EU rule, but notarisation makes it far more convincing and some countries or airlines may expect it. It is cheap insurance against delays.
Do babies need their own ETIAS?
Yes, once ETIAS starts every traveller needs their own, including babies. It is free for under-18s.
Keep reading
Sources
This guide is independent and for information only. Rules can change: before you travel, always double-check on the official ETIAS website and with the authorities of the country you're visiting.