What is ETIAS?
The European Travel Information and Authorization System, also known as ETIAS, is a new travel authorization required for many countries to enter Europe. With the rising popularity of European travel, this will strengthen Europe’s internal security. The program was introduced to legislation in September 2018 and was planned to be completely operational by 2021. With delays, as of 2023, ETIAS is not yet required. The program is expected to start in 2024. Even with post pandemic requirements, 594.5 million travelers visited Europe in 2022. Because of these high tourist numbers, the European Union introduced ETIAS to monitor immigration, improve border management, and provide an additional source of revenue to the EU. ETIAS will be very important for travelers to plan for, because if you don’t have it you will not be allowed entry into the country. Travelers will need to apply for the ETIAS if they are visiting any of the countries in the Schengen zone, plus Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus. When visiting Europe with ETIAS, Schengen zone countries you are able to visit include:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Countries in the EU, ETIAS required but not in the Schengen zone include:
Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania
Who Can Apply for ETIAS?
Travelers from many visa-exempt countries that have never been required to prepare documents for a trip to Europe before will be required to apply for ETIAS. All countries that do not need a visa to enter the European Union will be required to get ETIAS. Countries that need ETIAS include:
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.
Many nationalities that require visas will be eligible to bypass the visa for ETIAS under certain circumstances as well. If you are from a country which requires a visa to enter the country you are visiting, you may be eligible to forgo the visa. You will be able to apply for ETIAS, visa free if you are:
- traveling on a school trip with other school peers and accompanied by a school teacher
- a recognized refugee
- a member of armed forces traveling with NATO or Partnership for Peace
Required Documents for ETIAS Application
While the ETIAS system is a fairly simple process, there are still some requirements you will need to fill. In order to apply you will need:
Passport
You will need a valid travel document or passport that is no older than ten years and does not expire in less than three months. It’s important to double check requirements for countries you are visiting as some countries in the European Union require a passport with six months eligibility, but ETIAS in general only requires three months.
Application Form
You will need to fill out the information on your online ETIAS application including:
• Personal details- name, birthday, place of birth, nationality, address, parent’s first names, email address, phone number
• Details about your travel document (passport) such as identification number and expiration date
• Information regarding your education and occupation
• Travel details regarding the length of stay, countries you are visiting, and specific dates
• Details regarding criminal convictions, whether or not you have traveled to war zones, or whether or not you have been legally required to leave a country before
Application Fee
You will need to pay an application fee of seven euros for travelers between 18 and 70 years old
How to Apply for ETIAS
When traveling to Europe, ETIAS is required for many countries. You can apply to ETIAS using the following steps:
- Fill out the Application Form
To apply for an ETIAS travel authorization, you need to visit the official ETIAS website and fill out the application form. The application form requires you to provide your personal information, including your full name, date of birth, passport details, and contact information. You will also need to provide details about your travel plans, such as your intended dates of travel and the countries you plan to visit. Additionally, you will need to upload a scanned copy of your passport or travel document.
- Pay the application fee
After filling out the application form, you will need to pay ETIAS fees using a debit or credit card through the ETIAS website. The fee covers the cost of processing your application and can be paid quickly and easily online. Once your payment has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email with your ETIAS travel authorization.
- Receive your ETIAS travel authorization
After submitting your application and payment, your ETIAS travel authorization will be processed. Once your application has been approved, you will receive a confirmation email with your ETIAS travel authorization. It may be useful to print out your travel authorization and carry it with you when you travel to the Schengen Area, as you may be asked to present it at border control.
ETIAS Processing Time
Many applicants receive their approved ETIAS within a few hours of applying. You will receive an email within 96 hours of applying about the status of your ETIAS. On rare occasions, you will be asked to send in additional documents or information which can push the process out to 30 days. It is advised to apply for ETIAS before booking flights or accommodation in case of the rare chance your application is not approved.
ETIAS fee and payment methods
The fee for ETIAS costs 7 euros and this can only be paid online with either a debit or credit card. Travelers under 17 or over 80 years old are not required to pay this fee. Once you have applied, the payment of the ETIAS price is non refundable.
ETIAS Validity and Duration of Stay
Your ETIAS is valid for three years after acceptance. If the travel document you used to apply for ETIAS expired within those three years, you will have to reapply for ETIAS with your updated passport or travel document. ETIAS approves you to enter the countries included for a period of up to 90 days in a 180 day period. It is not possible to extend your 90 days. Your ETIAS must be valid during your entire stay. After the three years of validity, your ETIAS will expire. You will be eligible to renew your ETIAS 120 days before your current ETIAS expires.
Traveling with ETIAS
When traveling with ETIAS it is important to remember you are still required to travel with your travel document or passport. It is also advised to bring a printed copy of your approved ETIAS. It’s also important to check the status of your ETIAS before you travel in case of the rare situation that your ETIAS has been revoked. This will only happen if something has changed and you no longer meet the legal requirements to travel. If your ETIAS is revoked while you are already traveling, you will receive an email with details regarding your revoked ETIAS and steps you need to take to either exit the country or appealing your ETIAS. If your passport is lost or stolen and you are issued a new one during your trip, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS with your updated passport details.
ETIAS Renewal or Extension
Your ETIAS is valid for three years for entry into the European countries required for a period of 90 days in a 180 day period. It is not possible to extend your ETIAS after three years. Once your three years are completed, you will be able to reapply for ETIAS. You will receive an email with details and a warning that your ETIAS is expiring soon. You will be able to reapply for ETIAS up to 120 days before your current one expires. If you apply to ETIAS before you turn 18, your document will continue to be eligible for the three years without having to reapply and pay the fee even if you turn 18 during your three year period. It is not possible to extend your trip past 90 days in a 180 day period with ETIAS. Overstaying past your approved 90 days can lead to a number of negative outcomes, including fines, deportation, entry ban, or even up to a year in prison.
What Happens if your ETIAS Application is Refused?
While denial of your ETIAS is rare, it does happen. 95% of ETIAS applications are expected to receive approval within minutes, but in some cases you may be required to provide additional information. Of the 5% of applications that are asked for additional information, it is expected that 75% of these applicants will be approved after providing additional information. It is expected that only 1-2% of total ETIAS applications will be denied.
Your application may be denied for a few reasons, including applying with a passport that was reported lost or stolen, you are considered a risk for illegal immigration, or if you have previously been refused access. Your application may also be denied if information is false or there are errors made within the application. If you notice an error after you have already applied, the easiest and most convenient option would be to reapply using the correct information. You may also request to make a correction on your application. This method may take up to 30 days for approval.
If your ETIAS application is denied, you are able to appeal this decision. This process will be handled by the country that refused your application. You will receive an email stating that your application was denied along with which countries did not accept your application, the reasoning, and the procedure to appeal to them. In addition to appealing to the country, you are also able to reapply for ETIAS. You may choose to reapply instead of appeal if your application was denied due to a mistake.
