A New Travel Authorisation for EU Visitors
Meet ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System - Coming in 2023.
ETIAS.com is your source for the latest news, requirements and analysis.
ETIAS Requirements
ETIAS.COM is not affiliated with the E.U. nor any of its member countries. The official website of the E.U. is //europa.eu/
Why is the EU launching a new travel authorisation system?
Starting in 2023, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorisation system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. These visitors have been granted visa-free access to the EU and Schengen member countries through virtue of their good track record on security issues and, thus, have not been deemed as a threat to EU security. However, the EU is wanting to strengthen its border security as well as digitally screen and track travellers entering and leaving EU countries.
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. The system will check the security credentials and charge a fee to travellers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes. Travellers who currently visit Europe visa-free are able to enter EU and Schengen Member countries cost-free and without any digital security screening prior to their arrival to Europe. ETIAS is not a visa, and is more accurately referred to as a visa-waiver. The ETIAS, like the ESTA, is a travel authorisation for travellers not requiring a visa to visit Europe. Under the ETIAS, these visitors will undergo additional security checks prior to being permitted to enter into the EU. The ETIAS will be mandatory for citizens of such countries as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Learn more about the various aspects and implications of ETIAS by visiting the FAQ.
Learn more >>
Will ETIAS affect your travel plans?
Find out if you may need a Schengen visa or ETIAS in 2023.
Who needs ETIAS? >>
Country of Citizenship*
EU Destination Country*
Purpose of Visit?*
Duration of Visit?*
When does ETIAS launch?
Starting January 01 2023, travellers that currently do not need a visa to visit EU member countries will require an ETIAS.
The ETIAS proposal was finalised November 2016. By implementing ETIAS, the EU Commission intends to improve the security of the Schengen area primarily requiring these visa-free travellers to obtain travel authorisation and undergo various security checks prior to their arrival to the EU.
The ETIAS would screen travellers prior their arrival to Europe and would prevent individuals who pose a security threat from entering the EU, thereby reducing the likelihood of security incidents involving EU citizens.
Why ETIAS?
Currently, there are approximately 60 countries whose citizens are permitted to enter the EU and Schengen member countries without the need to obtain a visa. These visitors are limited to 3 month stays for tourism, business or transit purposes.
There are restrictions whereby visa-free travellers are not permitted to work or to study which will remain in place with the launch of the ETIAS. These travellers will require the appropriate visa or residence permit.
The ETIAS has a target launch date in mid-to-late 2023.
The ETIAS must be applied for online prior to arrival to the EU. Each eligible traveller, regardless of age, will require an ETIAS to visit EU member countries.How will ETIAS work?
Launch
Application
Form fields
The following data will be required for each ETIAS application: personal biometric data [e.g. name, gender, data of birth, etc], passport or travel document information, EU member state of entry, background questions on an applicant's health, criminal record as well as previous EU immigration history.
Fee
The cost of an ETIAS is €7, however, individuals under the age of 18, or over the age of 70, will not need to pay the fee.
Application process
Upon submission, each application will be checked across SIS / VIS / EUROPOL DATA / SLTD [Interpol] / EURODAC / ECRIS etc], the ETIAS screening rules as well as the ETIAS watchlist. If the application is matched to information from any of these databases, the application will undergo manual processing by the ETIAS Central and / or ETIAS National Units.
Application decision
Usually, 95% of applications will receive a decision within minutes of submission. If an ETIAS application is approved, it will be issued for a period of three years or the date of the applicant's passport expiry, whichever date is sooner. Processing times can take up to 96 hours if additional checks are required. However, if additional documentation is required from the applicant, processing times can potentially take up to four weeks. If an ETIAS application is denied, the applicant will receive a reason for the refusal as well as information on the country or authority deciding against the ETIAS being approved. ETIAS refusals can be appealed by applicants who file a request to the EU Member State that has objected to granting the ETIAS.
Boarding
The ETIAS can only be used for transit, tourism and business travel. As ETIAS will be checked by the traveller's air carrier, sea carrier or international carrier transporting groups overland by coach. If an ETIAS is not approved, the traveller will not be allowed to board the travel vessel, be it an airplane, boat or coach vehicle.
Arrival at the EU
Upon entry into the Schengen zone, a border guard will make the decision on admitting a traveller based on the information in the EES system, the approved ETIAS, as well as the travel documents and disposition of the traveller.
Revocation and Annulment
If an application is deemed to have been submitted fraudulently or the applicant's circumstances have changed, an ETIAS may be revoked if the conditions of approval are no longer valid. A revocation or annulment is performed by authorities in the EU Member State which first receives the applicant.
ETIAS Key Facts
Learn all about ETIAS key facts and figures in a concise infographic.
Learn more >>
ETIAS FAQ
Have questions about ETIAS? Visit the FAQ section to learn more.
Learn more >>
Read up on the latest ETIAS news, analysis and other ETIAS stories.
Learn more >>