Sri Lanka visa and ETA in 2026
Visitors to Sri Lanka need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, the ETA, before they arrive. Since 25 May 2026 the tourist ETA is free for citizens of 40 listed countries. That includes Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the UK, the USA, Australia and many more.
Free does not mean visa-free in the sense of arriving without paperwork. You still need to apply and receive the ETA before you travel. Plan to do it a few days ahead, not at the airport.
This page is an independent summary. It is not a government site and cannot issue or process an ETA. Rules can change, so confirm them on the official government ETA site before you book flights.
What the 2026 rule says
The key points for a holiday trip.
| Point | Rule from 25 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free for the 40 listed nationalities |
| Stay | 30 days from the first entry |
| Entries | Two entries within the validity of the ETA |
| When to apply | Before you arrive in Sri Lanka |
| Decided by | Your passport, not your departure airport or home address |
| Longer than 30 days | Needs an extension with the fees that apply |
ETA fees paid before the new rule are not refunded. The older fee table, valid from 1 December 2022, listed $20 for SAARC citizens and $50 for others online. It does not apply to the 40 nationalities now.
Sigiriya tours for your first days
Rock visits, Dambulla and elephant safaris, with live prices and availability once your entry is sorted.
The 40 nationalities
Citizens of these countries get the free tourist ETA.
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Maldives, the Seychelles and Singapore are also listed as free, still with an ETA. Citizens of the Maldives can stay 90 days.
If your passport is not on the list, the general ETA rules apply, and the ETA is not free for everyone. The country of your passport decides, not where you live or where you fly from.
How to apply and what to watch
Practical steps before your flight.
Use the government site
Apply on the government ETA site, eta.gov.lk, and check the address letter by letter. Agent websites and travel forms add their own charges, and those are not government fees.
Apply before you fly
Do not count on getting an ETA on arrival instead. The rule asks for the ETA before you arrive.
Passport validity
A passport with at least 6 months of validity on arrival is the safe choice. Check the rule for your own passport and for any country you pass through.
Staying longer
Past 30 days you need an extension, and fees apply. Ask the immigration authorities for the current amount before you rely on a long stay.
The ETA is not a ticket
The ETA covers entry into the country only. Entry to Sigiriya and other heritage sites is a separate ticket. Sigiriya tickets →
Plan the rest of your trip
After entry, the next questions.
Sri Lanka visa: frequently asked questions
Do Germans, Austrians and Swiss need a visa for Sri Lanka?
You need a tourist ETA, which has been free for citizens of Germany, Austria and Switzerland since 25 May 2026. You apply online before you travel.
Is the Sri Lanka ETA really free?
For the 40 listed nationalities, yes. The older fees of $20 and $50 do not apply to them. Websites that charge a fee on top are agents, not the government.
How long can I stay with the free ETA?
The ETA allows 30 days and two entries within its validity, counted from the first entry. A longer stay needs an extension with applicable fees.
Can I get the ETA at the airport?
Do not plan on it. The 2026 rule requires an ETA before arrival, so apply online before you fly.
What if my country is not on the list?
The general ETA rules apply to you, and the ETA is not free for every nationality. Check the current fee and rules for your passport on the government ETA site before you book.