ETIAS – European Travel Information and Authorisation System

About ETIAS visa europe

As of 2021, citizens from more than 60 countries which are currently part of the Schengen visa-waiver agreement (including Canada) will have to apply for an ETIAS Visa (European Travel Information and Authorization System) when travelling to Europe for tourism (ETIAS France, ETIAS Spain, etc).

ETIAS Visa: A Reinforcement to Internal Security

This initiative has been discussed in the EU legislative framework and has the aim to optimize external border control around the Schengen Member States. In a coalition between ETIAS and EES (Entry-Exit System), the EU intends to dynamize its migration-related processes as well as reinforce internal security. The ETIAS will work as an electronic authorization rather than a visa per se. Much like the U.S. ESTA or Canada’s eTA, the ETIAS Visa will be an automated process whose database will be shared across the Schengen Zone, thus facilitating procedures for authorities and travellers alike.

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, is a type of visa launched by the European Commission which will come into force from November 2023, and will be required for entry into Europe for citizens of countries outside the European Union. To date, citizens of these countries are guaranteed visa-free entry into the Schengen area, but to strengthen the security of its borders, the European Union has decided to introduce the ETIAS visa, which will also allow the EU to keep a digital track of people passing through Schengen member countries.

What is the ETIAS visa and how does it work

From 2023, the ETIAS visa will allow citizens of non-EU countries to enter the Schengen area, and it is a type of permit similar to the ESTA, required to enter the United States, and to the ETIAS for Canada. This is a measure that was already announced in 2016, which will allow to collect data on people who can currently enter the Schengen area without having to apply for a visa.
The ETIAS visa can be conveniently applied for online, with a procedure that will last about 10 minutes, during which the applicant must enter the following information:

Personal and biometric data, including contacts and residential address
Information about your school or university education
Passport or other travel document’s data
Information about your employment at the time of travel
The EU country of arrival
Respond to questions related to criminal activities, use of drugs, travelling to war zones, possible history of immigration within or outside the EU

In addition, if you apply for an Etias for a minor, you will also need to enter the data of the responsible person, i.e. a parent or a legal representative, and for family and relatives of EU citizens who can travel freely within the member countries, it will also be necessary to provide the data of the EU relative , highlighting the kinship bond and family status.
The data entered in the online form will be automatically analyzed based on the data held by different European authorities dealing with security and immigration, and once this process is completed the ETIAS will be approved or denied, or a more in depth review will be carried out, and the applicant will be contacted to provide further documents. Generally, most ETIAS visa applications will be approved immediately or within a few hours, but in any case within 96 hours upon applying the applicant will be notified of the status. In the event that the visa is denied, all the information that led to this decision will be provided, and citizens who have been denied a visa have the right to submit a request to the Embassy or consulate of the country that refused the application.

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ETIAS visa requirements

The ETIAS visa must be requested by citizens of countries outside the European Union whose country already forms part of the visa free regime with the EU and intend to travel to one of the Schengen area states for a period of less than 90 days for reasons of tourism, business, and health reasons, or simply for traveling in transit. The Etias permit will be required for entry into the country by air, sea, or land, and must be accompanied by a valid electronic passport or by a machine-readable one.
If the ETIAS is denied, it will still be possible to apply for a Schengen visa. If you intend to extend your stay in the EU beyond the time limit guaranteed by the ETIAS permit, you will need to obtain a visa of the category to which the reasons for prolonging your stay belong, such as a work visa or student visa.

Who will need to apply for the ETIAS

From 2023, the ETIAS visa will be needed required upon entry into the European Union for citizens with a passport of the following countries: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Japan, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Kiribati, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United Kingdom, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, United States of America, Taiwan, Timor-Este, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela.
The list of countries whose citizens must apply for the ETIAS visa is continuously updated, so it is advised to review if it is necessary to apply for an ETIAS instead of a Schengen visa.

How much does the ETIAS visa cost?

The application for the ETIAS visa for citizens of countries that need it will cost 7€ for all those aged between 18 and 70 years, while minors and those over 70 can apply for it for free. Once you have completed your ETIAS application and completed paying this fee, your application will be processed and you will get a response within minutes.

Can I apply for an ETIAS visa online?

The ETIAS visa can be applied for online so that you can get an approval within a few minutes of your trip.To do so you will need to complete an online form entering all the required information, including your personal passport information or travel document with which you will enter Europe with, and then pay the fee of 7€. Once these steps are completed, the request will be submitted and you will receive a response within a maximum of 96 hours, although generally most requests will be approved within a few hours at the latest

For which countries the ETIAS visa is required

From 2023 it will be necessary to be in possession of an ETIAS to enter the EU countries belonging to the Schengen area, the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries, and the micro-states with open borders. In particular, these are:
- Schengen area countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
- EFTA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.
- Micro-States with open borders: Andorra, Vatican City, Monaco, San Marino.
At the moment, the ETIAS visa will not be required for the following countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Ireland and Romania, but this may change with the entry of these countries into the Schengen area, as for example could happen in 2024 for Croatia.

Validity and expiry of the ETIAS

Once you obtain the ETIAS visa, it will be valid for three years from the date of issue, and will be valid for multiple entries , as long as each stay is less than 90 days. In addition, this visa will allow you to move freely from one country to another in Europe, as long as they are those who require the ETIAS permit at the point of entry.
However, if the passport with which you received the ETIAS visa expires before the natural expiry of the visa, you will need to apply for another ETIAS to travel to Europe once your passport is renewed.

Places to go with ETIAS visa

Frequently Asked Questions about Etias visa

What is the ETIAS visa?

The ETIAS visa, an acronym for European Travel Information and Authorization System, is a type of visa similar to the ESTA, necessary to enter the United States, which from 2023 will be necessary for citizens of some non-EU countries to enter the Member States of the Schengen area. This type of permit must be requested for stays of less than 90 days for reasons related to tourism, work, transit or medical reasons.
How do I get an ETIAS visa?
How long does the ETIAS visa last?

The ETIAS visa has a duration of three years, and allows multiple entry travel to the Schengen countries, provided that each individual stay has a duration of less than 90 days. If the passport to which the visa is associated expires before the natural expiration of the permit , however, it will be necessary to apply for another one in order to travel back to Europe once the passport has been renewed.
How much does the ETIAS visa cost?
Who will need to apply for the ETIAS visa?

Starting from when it comes into force, i.e. in 2023, citizens with passports from the following countries must apply for the ETIAS visa: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Japan, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Kiribati, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United Kingdom, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, United States of America, Taiwan, East Timor, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela.