ETIAS is an acronym for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is a visa waiver program, that the European Union (EU) will begin using by the end of 2022. The purpose of the ETIAS visa waiver is to assess the security threat of foreign nationals traveling to any of 26 European countries before they arrive.

The exact implementation date has not been announced yet. Starting in late 2022, the online application will be available; however, there will be a six-month transition period before the ETIAS registration becomes mandatory.

ETIAS Eligible Countries

Travelers from 60 countries, most of which did not previously need a visa to enter the EU, will have to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver to be pre-screened before arrival.

The ETIAS visa waiver will be valid for stays of 90 days or less for business or leisure travel. For longer stays, a work or study visa will be necessary. The ETIAS is valid for multiple trips to Europe for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

Countries Requiring an ETIAS

The Schengen Area is made up of 22 members of the European Union plus three micro-states that are de facto parts of the Schengen Area, and four countries that belong to the European Free Trade Association. They include:

Travel Maestro tip: Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Cyprus, and Ireland are EU members, but not part of the Schengen Area. They each have their own regulations regarding travel authorizations and the ETIAS is not required.

How to Get the ETIAS

The online application for the ETIAS will be simple and quick, providing travel authorization within minutes for the vast majority of cases. The program is very similar to the US ESTA (Electric System for Travel Authorization), Canada’s eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), and Australia’s ETA (Electronic Travel Authority).

Applicants must provide personal information including full name, date and place of birth, current address, parents’ information, and passport details. There will also be questions regarding criminal history, employment history, and security information. Fingerprints and other biometric data will not be collected. Payment by debit or credit card is required to apply. The ETIAS costs 7 euros for applicants between the ages of 18 and 70. There is no fee for visitors younger or older.

Data submitted will be cross-checked against a series of security databases including Europol, Interpol, the Schengen Information System, Eurodac, and the Visa Information System. Authorization should not take more than 10 minutes; although if the traveler’s data triggers a hit, a manual review will occur. In that case, a decision to issue or refuse the ETIAS will take no longer than 96 hours. Travel Maestro tip: Apply several days before your ETIAS is needed, if possible.

ETIAS Benefits

The ETIAS will improve security within Europe and should save travelers time as they transit security controls. Since the ETIAS is a travel authorization system, not a visa, travelers do not have to go through a lengthy visa application process or physically go to an embassy. Travelers can print a copy of the ETIAS, but it will be electronically linked to the passport, so showing a hard copy is not necessary.

This article will be updated when the ETIAS implementation date is announced. If you have other questions about traveling to Europe, please contact our knowledgeable and helpful travel advisors.