Travel requirements to Europe are changing for around 1.4 billion people. Starting in 2025, you will need a travel authorization - known as the ETIAS authorization or ETIAS visa waiver - to enter most European countries if you are from one of more than 50 visa-free countries and territories, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Let’s take a detailed look at how you might be affected by ETIAS, which stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System and is an attempt by Europe to strengthen its border security.
- What is ETIAS?
- ETIAS vs. Schengen visa
- Launch date
- Validity
- Who should apply?
- Application process
- Application fee
- Processing time
- At the border
- Limited validity
- Checklist
- FAQ
What is ETIAS and which countries require it?
The ETIAS travel authorization is an entry requirement for visa-exempt travelers to the following 30 European countries:
- 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
Who will be most affected by ETIAS?
People who can visit Europe’s Schengen Area without a visa. More information is provided later in the article.
Note: There are EU countries outside the Schengen Zone, and having an ETIAS authorization doesn't stop you from entering those countries.
Is ETIAS travel authorization equivalent to a residence permit or visa?
No, having the ETIAS travel authorization only allows you to visit and stay in European countries that need ETIAS for a short-term stay. It doesn't allow you to study or work long-term. If you plan to stay longer, you'll likely need a long-term visa. If you already have a valid visa, you don't need an ETIAS travel authorization.
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ETIAS vs. Schengen visa
It’s important to be aware of visa requirements to travel to Europe. While some countries need ETIAS authorization, others require a Schengen visa to enter and travel across the 27 Schengen countries. What sets the two apart?
| ETIAS | Schengen visa |
| Applies to countries that can currently enter the EU zone without a visa. | Countries not qualified for ETIAS must apply for a Schengen visa. |
| Electronic travel waiver and authorization. | Visa entered manually into passport. |
| Permits entry and travel within the EU for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. | Granted for a single country within the Schengen area, valid for a maximum of 90 days. |
| Valid for 3 years. | Can be used for one entry, two entries, or multiple entries, depending on the type of Schengen visa you obtain. |
Why was ETIAS proposed?
Due to concerns about terrorism and the migrant crisis, there's a greater need to control who enters the EU's borders. The EU has consistently expressed its aim to enhance the safety of travel within its borders. To make the procedures quicker and safer while addressing security concerns, the ETIAS waiver was proposed.
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When will ETIAS be implemented?
You may be asking: When does ETIAS go into effect? In 2016, the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, proposed the establishment of ETIAS, which is similar to a system introduced by the U.S. in 2008.
However, the launch of ETIAS has been delayed several times. Originally planned for 2021, it was then postponed to 2023 and 2024, and is now scheduled to begin in mid-2025.
How long is ETIAS valid?
ETIAS is linked to your passport and is valid for up to three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. When you renew your passport, you will need a new ETIAS travel authorization as part of the new requirements for travel to Europe.
Having a valid ETIAS travel authorization allows you to enter these European countries as many times as you'd like for short visits, usually up to 90 days within a 180-day period. You must be in possession of a valid ETIAS travel authorisation throughout your stay.
Remember, having ETIAS doesn't automatically guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will check your passport and other documents to ensure you meet the entry requirements and do not violate Europe travel restrictions.
Who should apply for an ETIAS travel authorization?
Nationals of the following visa-exempt countries and territories must apply for an ETIAS travel authorization under the new system:
- 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
- Serbia
- 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
ETIAS for nationals of visa-required countries, stateless persons, and crew members
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Nationals of visa-required countries may not need a visa and can travel with an ETIAS travel authorization instead under certain circumstances. Visit the official ETIAS website for more information. There you can also find out if you need an ETIAS authorization if you’re stateless or a crew member.
Who does not need an ETIAS travel authorization?
You do not need an ETIAS travel authorization if you are:
- A national of a European country requiring ETIAS
- A national of any of these countries who needs a visa to travel to any of the European countries requiring ETIAS
- A national of the United Kingdom who is a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement
- A national of Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, the Holy See (the Vatican City State) or Ireland
- A refugee, a stateless person or a person who does not hold the nationality of any country and you reside in any of the European countries requiring ETIAS and hold a travel document issued by that country
- A holder of a residence permit or a residence card issued by any European country requiring ETIAS
- A holder of a uniform visa
- A holder of a national long-stay visa
- A holder of a local border traffic permit, but only within the context of the Local Border Traffic
- A holder of a diplomatic, service or special passport
- An intra-corporate transferee, a student or a researcher exercising your right to mobility in accordance with Directive 2014/66/EU or Directive (EU) 2016/801
For more information, visit the official ETIAS website.
How to apply for ETIAS travel authorization
ETIAS is not currently in operation and applications are not yet being collected. Once it is launched, you can fill out the ETIAS online application form on the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application.
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What do you need to apply for ETIAS travel authorization?
When applying, make sure you have your travel document and a payment card ready. You'll need to provide your personal and travel information. You can apply through the official ETIAS website or the official ETIAS mobile app.
Travel documents
- Apply with a valid travel document on which a visa can be affixed.
- Make sure that the travel document is still valid for at least three months and is not older than 10 years.
- If your document doesn't meet international standards, it might be rejected during the application or cause issues before boarding.
- Special rules are in place for travel documents issued by certain countries, administrative regions, entities, and territorial authorities. These are places not acknowledged as states by at least one European country that demands ETIAS.
Personal and travel information
When completing the application, you'll need to provide the following information:
- Personal information such as your first name(s), last name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address, and phone number.
- Travel document details.
- Details about your level of education and current occupation.
- Your planned travel and stay in one of the countries for which ETIAS is required.
- Information about any criminal convictions, previous travel to areas of war or conflict, and whether you have recently been the subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country.
You must declare that the data you submitted and the information you provided are correct. You must also confirm that you understand the conditions of entry into the territories of the European countries for which ETIAS is required and that you may be asked to provide the appropriate evidence each time you cross the external border.
NOTE: Applications for minors (under 18 years of age) must be filed by a person exercising permanent or temporary parental authority or legal guardianship.
Can someone else apply for ETIAS on my behalf?
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You can either apply for your ETIAS travel authorization yourself or appoint a third party - another person or a commercial intermediary - to do so on your behalf. For more information, visit the official ETIAS website.
How much does ETIAS cost?
It costs €7 to apply for the ETIAS travel authorization, although some travelers are exempt from this fee. The application fee is non-refundable.
How should you pay the ETIAS application fee?
You can use a number of online payment options to pay the fee.
Who is exempt from the ETIAS application fee?
Applicants who are under 18 or over 70 years of age are exempt from this payment. Also exempt are family members of EU citizens or of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely within the European Union.
What happens after you apply for ETIAS?
After you complete the ETIAS form as part of the ETIAS application process and submit your application, you will receive an email confirming submission. The confirmation email will contain your unique ETIAS application number, which you should keep for future reference.
How long does the ETIAS application process take?
Most applications are processed within a few minutes, but your application may take longer. If so, you will receive a decision within four days. Keep in mind that it may take up to 14 days if more information is needed, or 30 days if there's an interview. So apply for your ETIAS well in advance of your trip.
The official ETIAS website advises travelers to get the ETIAS before they buy their tickets and book their hotels.
After your application is processed, you'll get an email telling you if it's approved or not. If it's approved, check your ETIAS details like your name and passport number to make sure they're correct. Mistakes could stop you at the border. If you made a mistake in your application, find out what you can do on the Frequently Asked Questions page on the official ETIAS website.
If your application is denied, the email will explain why. It also tells you how to appeal, who to contact, and how much time you have to appeal.
At the border with ETIAS
When you reach the border, remember to bring the same travel document you used for your ETIAS application. If not, you won't be allowed to board your flight, bus, or ship, or enter the European countries that need ETIAS.
Just because you have ETIAS does not mean you are guaranteed entry. At the border, border officials will check to see if you meet the entry requirements and are not in violation of European travel restrictions. If this is not the case, you will not be allowed in.
ETIAS travel authorization with limited validity
If you need an ETIAS travel authorization with limited validity, which is different from a standard ETIAS travel authorization, you can apply for it under certain conditions.
Firstly, if you have humanitarian reasons or important obligations requiring travel, and secondly, if you think your standard ETIAS application might be rejected or has already been refused, annulled, or revoked.
The decision to grant an ETIAS authorization with limited validity is up to the authorities of the countries that demand ETIAS. Some situations they consider include life-threatening illness of the applicant or close relatives, attending a family member's funeral, urgent medical cases, participation in inter-governmental conferences, legal obligations, and granting of rights of transit with temporary stay.
A limited ETIAS authorization doesn't allow travel to all 30 European countries but only to specific ones mentioned in your authorization. The duration is determined by national authorities, up to a maximum of 90 days from entry, and it's valid for multiple entries.
For information on how to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization with limited validity, visit the official ETIAS website.
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Your ETIAS checklist
- Apply for your ETIAS travel authorization ahead of time, before purchasing tickets or booking accommodations.
- Ensure that the details on your passport match those on your ETIAS authorization, as mismatched information can result in denial of boarding and entry at the border.
- Confirm the ongoing validity of your ETIAS travel authorization.
- Check the permitted duration of stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS.
- Verify that your passport remains valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the European countries requiring ETIAS, as entry may be denied at the border if this condition is not met (with exceptions).
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FAQ about ETIAS
Below are some frequently asked questions about ETIAS that you may find useful:
Do I need an ETIAS travel authorization if I’m only transiting through a European airport?
No, you don't need an ETIAS travel authorization if you stay only in the international transit area. But, you must have a valid travel authorization if you leave this area and enter any of the European countries that require ETIAS.
Is it possible to apply without confirmed travel plans?
When applying for an ETIAS travel authorization, you have to say where you plan to stay first. This helps process your application. But, after you get the authorization, you can change your plans and visit any of the 30 European countries for which ETIAS is required.
Can I include my family members in my application?
No, the ETIAS travel authorization is only for one person and is connected to their travel document. Other individuals, even family members, need their own ETIAS travel authorizations.
Can I submit a group application?
No, only individual applications are accepted, and they are connected to the applicant's travel document.
What languages is the application form available in?
The application form is available in all 24 official EU languages: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish. However, you will only be able to fill in the application using the Latin alphabet.
I see there are other websites that also offer the possibility to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization. Is it safe to use any of them?
Use only the official European Union website to directly apply for ETIAS travel authorizations, ensuring the highest data protection standards. Be cautious of intermediary websites—they collect your data and submit the application on the official ETIAS site for you. These sites might charge extra fees. Before using them, check their service quality, any additional costs, and how they safeguard your data.
I have multiple nationalities and one of them is a European country requiring ETIAS. Do I need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization?
No, if you have a travel document from any of the European countries that need ETIAS or Ireland, you don't need a travel authorization to enter their territories. Just use that travel document during your trip.
My previous application was refused. Can I apply again?
Yes. A previous rejection does not automatically lead to a rejection of a new application.
Should I print out my ETIAS travel authorisation?
You don't have to because the check-in staff of the carrier and border officials can access your ETIAS travel authorization in the system. However, you may keep a printout for your own convenience if you wish.
Can my ETIAS travel authorization be canceled?
The authorities can revoke or annul your ETIAS travel authorization. This might happen if they find proof that you no longer meet the conditions for getting it.
Where can I find the latest news and information about ETIAS?
The official ETIAS website has a news section where updates are posted regularly. We at Flatio also publish the latest information about this new Europe entry requirement. So be on the lookout for new articles on our blog, especially if you’re planning on visiting Europe.
Important note: Before you travel, contact the Consulates of the countries you plan to visit to make sure your personal situation exempts you from needing a visa. This helps avoid any issues at the border.
Disclaimer: The legal information published on Flatio is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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