ETIAS – Everything You Need to Know About the New Travel Authorisation System for EU Visitors

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a new visa waiver program created by the EU to protect its borders and control arrivals.

Around 1.4 billion travellers from more than 59 visa-exempt countries must meet this entry requirement to visit 30 European countries for short-term stays.

An ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to a person's passport but does not guarantee entry. Any traveller with an ETIAS must comply with the country's entry requirements.

Furthermore, this travel authorisation is valid for up to three years. However, it can expire sooner if the passport does. 

In other words, it will be valid for the set period or until the document you used for the application expires.

•The European Travel Information and Authorisation System allows travellers to visit an EU country for short-term stays but as often as they want.

•A traveller with a valid ETIAS can stay in European countries requiring this document for up to 90 days within 180 days.

•Applying for an ETIAS travel authorisation costs only EUR 7 (some travellers are exempt from paying a fee).

•An ETIAS application often takes minutes (may take longer to process in some cases).

•Travellers can fill out an ETIAS application form through the official ETIAS website, mobile application or our website.

•30 European countries require travellers to have an ETIAS travel authorisation if they do not have a visa.

•All ETIAS applications will be checked against EU information systems regarding security and borders.

The European Commission (EC) has decided to launch the European Travel Information and Authorisation System to keep track of visitors arriving in the territory, hoping to make travelling within its borders more secure.

It was also devised as a solution to address security concerns, including terrorism and mass migration, while reducing wait times and making travel procedures easier.

In addition, the ETIAS travel authorisation can help both the EU countries and all travellers in the following ways:

•Improve EU country borders management

•Make travel experience to EU countries safer

•Reinforce the EU's visa liberalisation policy

•Reduce application times and make procedures easier

•Help detect and combat terrorism and crime

Although the proposal to implement the European Travel Information and Authorisation System was finalised in 2016, this visa waiver program is expected to be launched in 2024.

It was initially intended to be launched in 2022, but Covid-19 and other setbacks caused the EU to delay the roll-out plan.

In February of this year, the European Commission delayed the ETIAS visa waiver program's launch again, pushing it back to 2024.

Do you want to know more about the new travel authorisation system created by the European Commission? Learn more about ETIAS essentials and implications by browsing through our website!

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System was designed to make applications faster and easier, helping travellers save time and enjoy a simple process.

Those who want to apply for an ETIAS and get approval must follow these steps:

#1 Launch Date

Know the ETIAS' launch date and start the application process accordingly. As mentioned, it's set to be launched in 2024.

#2 ETIAS Application

Travellers from visa-exempt countries who must apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation can fill out the application form through the ETIAS website or mobile application.

#3 Eligibility Criteria

People from nations with visa-free access to EU countries must have an ETIAS to enter the territory. However, dual citizens with passports to EU and ETIAS-eligible countries aren't required to apply for this travel authorisation if they use their EU documentation.

#4 Form Fields

Applicants must fill out the ETIAS application with the data the European Commission has defined, which includes the following:

•Valid passport or travel document information

•Personal biometric data, such as date of birth, gender, and name

•Criminal records

•EU member state of entry

•Information about their intended travel and stay in countries requiring ETIAS

•Background questions on their education and current occupation

•Previous EU travel or immigration history

If you apply for an ETIAS visa waiver, you must declare that the data you provide and the statements you make are correct.

#5 Fee

Applicants must have their travel documents and payment card at hand. Some are required to pay EUR 7, but others are exempt from this fee, including travellers under 18 and over 70.

#6 Application Screening

After filling out the form, each application is screened across EUROPOL DATA, SIS, VIS, SLTD (Interpol), ECRIS, and EURODAC. In addition, each is checked to confirm that applicants comply with ETIAS rules and watchlist.

When an application matches information from any EU information systems' databases, an ETIAS Central Unit performs manual processing or forwards it to an ETIAS National Unit.

#7 Application Decision

While most applications are processed in just minutes, some can take longer. When this occurs, travellers usually receive the decision within four days.

However, the expected period to know the decision on the application for an ETIAS can be extended to 14 days if applicants are required to provide further documentation or information.

Some travellers are invited for an interview. Therefore, the application screening could also be extended to 30 days.

After this period, applicants are informed about the outcome. When applications are refused, travellers receive an email with the reasons supporting the decision and information on how to appeal, if applicable.

#8 Boarding

Those who have received an ETIAS travel authorisation are required to carry the same document (passport, in most cases) that they used for the ETIAS application.

If they do not provide this document, travellers will not be allowed to board their flights, ships, or buses or enter the European country.

#9 Arrival

While many countries require travellers from some nations to have an ETIAS visa waiver, this document does not guarantee entry.

As soon as you arrive at the destination, you have to answer a few questions from border guards, who will verify that you meet all the entry conditions.

Here's a quick checklist that the European Commission recommends travellers use to confirm that they meet all the requirements to visit EU countries requiring ETIAS:

•Start the ETIAS application process well in advance, even before booking your accommodation or buying your ticket

•Always check that your passport details match your approved ETIAS information. Otherwise, you may be refused boarding and entry

•Make sure your ETIAS is still valid before attempting to travel to an EU country with this entry requirement

•Check if your passport is valid for at least three months before your planned departure date from European countries requiring ETIAS (Some conditions apply, but most people are refused entry at the border if they do not meet this requirement)

•Find out how long you can stay in the EU country requiring ETIAS before travelling

If you need more information about the application process or how it may affect your travel plans, check our website's different sections and find more key details!

According to the most recent information disclosed by the European Union, nationals from 59 of the 62 countries with visa exemptions to travel to the EU will need an ETIAS once the program is launched in 2024. This entry requirement applies to those travelling for business, transit, and tourism purposes.

Right now, 30 European countries require travellers with visa exemptions to apply for and get an ETIAS. These are:

•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

•Switzerland

Travellers from the following visa-exempt nations must apply for an ETIAS to visit an EU country for a short-term stay:

•Albania

•Antigua and Barbuda

•Argentina

•Australia

•Bahamas

•Barbados

•Bosnia and Herzegovina

•Brazil

•Brunei

•Canada

•Chile

•Colombia

•Costa Rica

•Dominica

•El Salvador

•Georgia

•Grenada

•Guatemala

•Honduras

•Hong Kong

•Israel

•Japan

•Kiribati

•Macao

•Malaysia

•Marshall Islands

•Mauritius

•Mexico

•Micronesia

•Moldova

•Montenegro

•New Zealand

•Nicaragua

•North Macedonia

•Palau

•Panama

•Paraguay

•Peru

•Saint Kitts and Nevis

•Saint Lucia

•Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

•Samoa

•Serbian

•Seychelles

•Singapore

•Solomon Islands

•South Korea

•Taiwan

•Timor-Leste

•Tonga

•Trinidad and Tobago

•Tuvalu

•Ukraine

•United Arab Emirates

•United Kingdom

•United States of America

•Uruguay

•Venezuela

Those travelling from a visa-exempt country but who are relatives of an EU citizen or a national of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein must meet slightly different requirements. Therefore, they should review the application's rules before filling out their forms.

Browse our website and check all the available information for more details about it!

Other travellers may need an ETIAS to enter an EU country. This category includes the following:

ETIAS for Visa-required Countries' Nationals

Non-EU citizens travelling from visa-required countries may travel with an ETIAS instead of applying for a visa in some cases. These include the following:

•Students travelling to European countries with ETIAS requirements on a school trip

•Recognised refugees residing in and holding travel documents issued by any of these nations or Ireland

•Armed forces members travelling on Partnership for Peace or NATO businesses

•Those who hold identification and movement orders provided by an agreement between Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Status of their Forces

Stateless people residing in these nations or Ireland are not required to have a visa to travel to EU countries but need ETIAS travel authorisations to enter the territory.

Some people are not required to have an ETIAS to travel to EU countries with visa exemptions, including the following:

•Nationals of European nations requiring ETIAS

•Travellers from countries that require visas to travel to the EU territory

•Nationals of San Marino, Monaco, Andorra, the Holy See (the Vatican City State), or Ireland

•UK nationals and their family members if they are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement

•Stateless persons, refugees, or those who do not have the nationality of any country and reside in EU nations requiring ETIAS

•Holders of residence permits or cards issued by European countries requiring ETIAS

•Uniform visa holders

•Local border traffic permit holders (It only applies in some cases under the Local Border Traffic context)

•Diplomatic, service, or special passport holders

•Some students, intra-corporate transferees, or researchers

•Some people who hold travel documents issued by intergovernmental international organisations

Crew Members

Some crew members need an ETIAS to travel to an EU country, including the following:

•Civilian sea crew members going ashore if they hold a seafarer's identity document

•Civilian air or sea crew members on duty

•Crew members working on rescue or emergency missions if there's an accident or disaster

•Civilian crew members travelling on ships sailing in international inland waters

Yes, UK nationals need a valid ETIAS to travel to any country with this entry requirement for short-term stays. Those who want to stay longer must comply with the national or EU migration law and hold some documents, such as a residence permit or visa.

However, as mentioned, UK nationals could be exempt from the ETIAS if they are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement as long as they reside within the EU host country territory.

If you are a UK national or want to know more about who can apply for an ETIAS, take a look at all the information on our website.

As of 2024, some EU nations will require an ETIAS authorisation, but 26 Schengen countries still require the Schengen Visa. These are the main differences between the two documents:

•An ETIAS allows nationals from some countries to enter EU territory visa-free, while those not eligible for this program need a Schengen Visa.

•A Schengen Visa is manually entered into a person's passport, while ETIAS is an electronic travel waiver.

•An ETIAS authorisation allows travellers to enter EU territory for up to 90 days within 180 days while Schengen Visas are issued by a specific nation for up to 90 days.

•Schengen Visas are valid for single, double, or multiple entries, while an ETIAS is valid for three years.

Some travellers may request an ETIAS with limited validity if they must visit the EU country for humanitarian reasons or fulfil important obligations. Those who believe their application will be rejected or get their authorisations refused or revoked can also choose this option.

Authorities from countries requiring ETIAS may consider different circumstances to approve these requests, including urgent medical cases, court appearance obligations, and life-threatening illnesses.

Do you need more information on the ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity? Find more details here!

Besides providing personal information and paying the fee, ETIAS applicants must have a valid passport or other travel documents at hand.

The document must comply with international standards, and not expire in less than three months or be older than 10 years.

However, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System does not accept some documents. In addition, specific requirements for travel documents issued by some territorial authorities, special administrative regions, or entities may apply.

If you cannot or do not want to apply for your ETIAS yourself, you can nominate another personal or commercial intermediary to do it on your behalf.

The process is similar, as the third party must submit the application through the official ETIAS website or mobile app. However, both you and the person filling out the form must sign a declaration of representation.

Do you want to know if you should file the ETIAS application yourself or have someone file it on your behalf? Find the answer on our website!

All applicants have the right to appeal if their applications are revoked, refused, or annulled. In this case, you will receive an email detailing why your request was rejected and what you can do to appeal the decision.

Do you plan to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System but still have doubts? Don't forget to check out our website to find all the details you need about the process or contact us.