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What's changing? -

Starting in May 2025, the European Commission in Brussels will roll out an electronic travel authorization system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the European Union (EU).

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What's it called? -

This new arrangement is known as ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorization System.

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How will ETIAS work? -

ETIAS will check the security credentials and charge a fee to travelers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical, or transit purposes.

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How much will ETIAS cost? -

The ETIAS application fee is currently set at €7 for applicants aged between 18 to 70 years. Travelers under 18 or over 70 years old will be exempt from paying the fee.

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Application process -

Applications will be processed online and completed using a debit or credit card. ETIAS travel authorization will be valid for three years or until the travel document you used in your application expires—whichever comes first.

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Non-refundable -

In the event of your ETIAS application being denied, the fee will not be refunded.

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Length of stay -

With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, travelers will be able to enter the territory of European countries as often as they want for short-term stays—normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

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Who needs ETIAS? -

Passport holders of 59 of the 62 countries that currently travel visa-free will require an ETIAS waiver to travel to Europe. These nations include Great Britain, Japan, and the United States.

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ETIAS countries -

The ETIAS countries requiring EU travel authorization will be those that are currently full EU Schengen states (indicated on the map in dark blue). These nations include recently joined Croatia, which is erroneously indicated on the map in light blue. Future Schengen member countries Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus (indicated in light blue) are set to implement ETIAS.

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EFTA member countries -

Countries that are European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members—Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland—will also require travelers to have an EU authorization.

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Meeting entry criteria -

ETIAS does not guarantee entry, however. When you arrive you'll still be asked by border control to present your passport and any other travel documents to verify that you meet all entry conditions.

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Traveling with ETIAS -

ETIAS is not a visa, and is more accurately referred to as a visa-waiver. Under the system, these visitors will undergo additional security checks prior to being permitted to enter the EU.

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Why is ETIAS being implemented? -

ETIAS is designed to identify security, irregular migration, or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors traveling to Schengen states.

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Providing seamless travel -

The system has also been developed to help improve process times for travelers, the vast majority of whom do not pose such risks.

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Who doesn't need an ETIAS travel authorization? -

The European Commission has drawn up a list of those who are exempt from the European Travel Information and Authorization System.

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Who's exempt from ETIAS? -

Those who aren't obliged to apply for authorization include nationals of European countries requiring ETIAS.

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Diplomatic passport holders -

Holders of diplomatic, service or special passports from other countries are also excluded from obtaining ETIAS travel authorization. However, they may be obliged to obtain a visa to visit the European countries requiring ETIAS.

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Beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement -

UK nationals and their family members who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (UK nationals lawfully residing in one of the 27 EU Member States at the end of the Brexit transition period) are exempt from ETIAS.

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Unhindered travel across ETIAS countries -

Furthermore, UK nationals and their families may reside on the territory of their EU host country and travel to other European countries requiring ETIAS as long as they hold documents proving their status.

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Other exemptions -

A national of Ireland or Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, the Holy See (the Vatican City State), the so-called European microstates with open borders, is also exempt from ETIAS.

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Residents of Europe -

A holder of a residence permit or a residence card issued by any European country requiring ETIAS is exempt from the need to carry ETIAS authorization.

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Other circumstances -

ETIAS exemption extends to a refugee, a stateless person, or a person who does not hold the nationality of any country but resides in any of the European countries requiring ETIAS and who holds a travel document issued by that country.

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Mass process -

The European Commission estimates that 1.4 billion people will need to apply for ETIAS.

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The ETIAS website -

Applications will be made through the official ETIAS website. The system is expected to process the vast majority of applications automatically by searching in electronic databases and providing an immediate response. However in some cases, applications may take up to 30 days to process.

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The ETIAS app -

Travelers will also be able to apply online using the ETIAS mobile app.

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Plan travel in advance -

When the system does become operational, the European Commission is recommending travelers apply for an ETIAS travel authorization well in advance of their planned journey, and before purchasing a ticket or booking accommodation.

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Documentation -

Your ETIAS travel authorization will be linked to your travel document, so make sure to carry the same document that you used in your ETIAS application.

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No entry! -

Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in you not being allowed to board your flight, bus, or ship, or to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.

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Check passport validity -

Make sure your passport is valid for three months after your intended departure from the European countries requiring ETIAS. You will be refused entry at the border if it is not.

Sources: (European Union) (ETIAS) (Boundless Immigration) 

See also: Why these European countries don't use the euro as currency

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