Starting in 2024, most visitors to Europe will need an ETIAS travel authorisation.
No ETIAS? No entry to most EU countries.
Beginning in 2024 (exact date to be determined) visitors to 30 European countries must provide an additional travel document for entry. This affects 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries, including the UK, US, Australia and Canada.
Without a digital or printed document, many travellers will be denied boarding for international travel.
What is ETIAS?
The EU Travel Information and Authorisation System is an entry requirement aimed at boosting security for visa-exempt short-stay travellers (up to 90 days in a 180-day period) The authorisation is valid for up to three years and can be used for multiple trips. Once implemented, travellers must produce the authorisation alongside other travel documents to gain entry. It doesn’t replace a passport or a visa.
What happens if I don’t have it?
If you don’t have an ETIAS, you won’t be allowed to board transport entering countries that require the authorisation. This includes international flights and bus trips. No word yet on cruise passengers.
How long is it valid?
ETIAS is valid for three years or until your passport expires.
Who should apply?
Visitors who aren’t EU nationals, travellers from visa-exempt countries, people without residence documents for the destination country. This includes children.
Who doesn’t need an ETIAS travel authorisation?
Residence permit holders, travellers with long-stay visas, nationals of another European country that requires ETIAS, UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement are some of the candidates who don’t need ETIAS.
Is it the same as a visa?
No. The travel authorisation is only for short-term stays for travellers coming from visa-free countries for visits up to 90 days out of a 180-day period. Visa-holders are exempt.
How to apply?
Once the programme is launched, applicants can go to the ETIAS site and fill out the forms online.
Though the official date hasn’t been announced, plenty of third-party sites have already cropped up to ‘help’ people with the form, so many that the ETIAS website has published a page about third-party scammer sites.
How long does it take to get approved?
Most applications will go through in minutes, though the process could take up to 96 hours. For applicants asked to provide more information, additional documents, or are required to participate in an interview, the wait time could be 30 days.
As this process is new, with lots of moving parts (30 host nations and applicants from over 60 countries!) applying as early as possible is a sound strategy for travel in 2024.
How much does it cost?
Each authorisation costs EUR 7. Applicants under 18 and under 17 are exempt, as are some family members of EU citizens and non-EU nationals with free-movement permission.
What info do I need to provide?
- Personal information (name, date and place of birth, sex, nationalities, parents’ first names, occupation and level of education)
- Contact details (address, email address and phone number)
- Document details that match the ones you plan to travel with, including a passport that’s valid for 3 months after your departure date from ETIAS countries
- The address of your first ETIAS destination
- Details about criminal convictions or travels to war or conflict zones
- No biometric data is required
What does ETIAS mean for travellers from visa-exempt countries?
For most, it means spending a little extra time (and cash) before a European holiday. For some, a nasty surprise at check-in.
