The introduction of the ETIAS Travel Authorisation will only slightly change how you travel to Europe! It is nothing to be worried about, let us tell you what it means!
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the following 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
Is ETIAS operating now?
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point. ETIAS is expected to become operational during the year of 2024. The date from which travellers will be able to apply will be published on the ETIAS website.
Is ETIAS a visa?
The ETIAS authorisation is not a visa. Visa-exempt nationals will continue to travel to the EU without a visa but will simply be required to obtain a travel authorisation via ETIAS prior to their travel.
ETIAS will be a simple, fast and visitor-friendly system, which will, in more than 95% of cases, only take a few minutes. Once your travel authorisation has been approved the validity will be for a period of three years. An ETIAS authorisation will be valid for an unlimited number of entries.
How to apply and pay for ETIAS?
Applicants will be able to apply via an official website and/or app for mobile devices prior to the start of the operation of ETIAS which should be released in 2024. There will be a fee of €7 (reported amount at time of writing). Travellers will have to complete an online application via a dedicated website or an application for mobile devices. Filling in the application should not take more than 10 minutes and should not require any documentation beyond a travel document (a passport or other equivalent document).
What information will I need to fill in?
When filling out the application, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- Personal information including your name(s), surname, date and place of birth, nationality etc;
- Travel document details;
- Details about your level of education and current occupation;
- Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS;
- Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country.
A declaration needs to be made that the data you submit and the statements you make are correct. You will also need to confirm that you understand the entry conditions to the territories of the European countries requiring ETIAS and that you may be requested to provide the relevant supporting documents each time you cross the external border. You will receive an email once your application is processed.
How long does the ETIAS application take?
In some cases, processing of ETIAS applications may take up to 96 hours you will receive a reply whether your ETIAS travel authorisation has been granted, refused or if you are required to provide additional information or documentation. In the latter case, you will have additional 10 days to provide it.
If the additional information/documentation provided is sufficient, notification will whether your travel authorisation has been granted or not will be received.
If it is not sufficient, you will receive an invitation for an interview which will take place either in the Consulate closest to your place of residence or online.
I will continue to update this as it becomes active. You can find further information about on the ETIAS webiste.
