Traveling To The Eu: What You Need To Know

Travel to the EU is a hot topic, with new rules and regulations coming into play in 2025. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require visitors from certain countries to register in advance and pay a fee. This will affect travellers from 60 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who will need to obtain an ETIAS visa waiver to enter the Schengen Zone. The Schengen Area currently comprises 27 countries, including 23 EU member states and 4 non-EU countries. The ETIAS scheme will tighten border security and enable the identification of potential risks, but it is not a traditional visa, and the application process is relatively quick, easy and inexpensive.

EU Travel Authorisation System (ETIAS)

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an electronic travel authorisation system that will be rolled out in 2025 for visitors from countries that are not part of the EU. These visitors have been granted visa-free access to the EU and Schengen member countries due to their good track record on security issues. However, the EU aims to strengthen its border security and digitally screen and track travellers entering and leaving EU countries.

ETIAS is not a visa but a visa-waiver or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). It requires a quick online application, with approval delivered via email. The application should take around 10 minutes to fill out and will cost 7 euros for individuals between the ages of 18 and 70. Those under the age of 18 or over 70 are exempt from the fee but will still need to obtain an ETIAS. The authorisation will be valid for three years or until the applicant's passport expires, whichever comes first.

The ETIAS application will require personal biometric data (e.g. name, gender, date of birth, etc.), passport or travel document information, EU member state of entry, and background questions on the applicant's health, criminal record, and previous EU immigration history. After submitting the application, the system will conduct checks against EU information systems for borders and security. In most cases, a travel authorisation will be issued within minutes. However, in cases where further checks on the traveller are needed, the process can take up to 30 days.

The ETIAS travel authorisation will be a mandatory precondition for entry to the Schengen States. Border guards will check the travel authorisation along with the traveller's documents when crossing the EU border. This prior verification of visa-exempt non-EU citizens will facilitate border checks, reduce bureaucracy and delays for travellers, ensure a coordinated and harmonised risk assessment of third-country nationals, and reduce the number of refusals of entry at border crossing points.

ETIAS member countries

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a new travel authorisation requirement that will be launched in the first half of 2025. It is important to note that ETIAS is not a traditional visa, but rather a visa waiver or a travel authorisation for visa-free visitors. It will require travellers to obtain advance approval and pay a fee before entering Europe. This system is being implemented by the European Union to strengthen its borders and identify any potential risks associated with travellers entering the participating countries.

The ETIAS member countries fall into four categories: full Schengen members, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, future Schengen members, and European microstates. Full Schengen members include countries such as Spain, France, and Italy, while EFTA countries include Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. Cyprus is listed as a future Schengen member, and European microstates include Andorra and Monaco.

It is important to highlight that ETIAS authorisation will be required for travellers from specific countries visiting any of the ETIAS member countries. These travellers must be from countries that currently enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan. The ETIAS authorisation is designed for individuals travelling for tourism, business, transit, or medical reasons and is valid for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen Area.

The application process for ETIAS is straightforward and can be completed online. It requires travellers to provide personal information, travel document details, educational and occupational details, and details about their intended travel. The application fee is set at €7 and must be paid online using credit or debit cards, or other online payment methods.

ETIAS application process

The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) application process is entirely online. The application form can be filled out on the official ETIAS website or via the official ETIAS mobile app. It should take around 10-20 minutes to complete.

To apply, you will need a valid passport from a visa-exempt country, an email address, and a debit or credit card to pay the non-refundable €7 application fee. This fee applies to individuals between the ages of 18 and 70. Those under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the fee but will still need to obtain ETIAS approval.

On the application form, you will be asked to provide personal information, including your name, surname, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents' first names, email address, and phone number. You will also need to provide travel document details, information about your level of education and current occupation, and details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS.

Additionally, you will need to declare any criminal convictions, past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject to a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country. It is important to answer all questions honestly, as providing false information could lead to denial of entry at the EU border.

After submitting your application, you will typically receive a response within 96 hours. Most applications are approved at this stage, provided there are no alerts in the system. If there is an alert, the application may take up to 30 days to process and may require additional information or an interview.

Once your ETIAS application is approved, it will be valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows for multiple entries into the Schengen countries but adheres to the 90/180 rule, meaning you can stay for no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.

ETIAS fees

The ETIAS application fee is €7, which is non-refundable regardless of whether the application is approved or denied. The fee is payable by individuals between the ages of 18 and 70. Those younger than 18 or older than 70 are exempt from the fee, though they will still need to obtain ETIAS approval.

The fee is intended to fund the costs of running the ETIAS departments and systems, including databases, information systems, the ETIAS Central Unit, and National Units. The money will also be used to fund eu-LISA, Europol, and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency as part of their duties in supporting the ETIAS.

The original ETIAS regulations state that the European Union will update the pricing for the ETIAS based on the costs incurred to run the system. Therefore, if the operational costs cause the EU to lose money, the price is likely to increase.

If the revenue generated from ETIAS exceeds the costs incurred by the EU, the remaining funds will be added to the EU budget to be used however they see fit for the benefit of the bloc.

Payments for ETIAS applications will be managed by the EU's preferred financial intermediaries and payment processors. Payment will be accepted via debit or credit card. The actual traveller information on the application form will not be sent to financial intermediaries, only the billing details required to process the payment. Once the fee is successfully processed, a unique reference number will be generated that represents the successful payment authorisation. This will then be linked to the application and enable it to be processed for a decision.

ETIAS approval

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is a new travel authorisation requirement for visa-exempt countries. It is set to launch in the first half of 2025 and will require travellers to obtain advance approval before entering Europe. Here is some essential information about the ETIAS approval process:

Who Needs ETIAS Approval?

How to Apply for ETIAS Approval

The ETIAS application will be available online or through a mobile application. The application process is relatively straightforward and should only take about 10 minutes to complete. Applicants will need to provide basic personal information, including their passport or travel document information, educational background, and occupational background. Additionally, applicants will need to provide their email address and pay a non-refundable application fee of 7 euros (approximately $8). It is important to note that children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the application fee, although they still need to obtain ETIAS approval.

Processing Time and Validity

Most ETIAS applications are processed within minutes, and applicants will receive an email confirmation within 96 hours. However, in some cases, additional security checks may be required, which can prolong the process by up to 30 days. Once approved, the ETIAS authorisation will be valid for three years or until the applicant's passport expires, whichever comes first.

What to Do After Approval

After receiving ETIAS approval, travellers should ensure that their passport details match the information provided in their ETIAS authorisation. Any discrepancies may result in a refusal of boarding or entry at the border. Additionally, travellers should be aware that ETIAS approval does not guarantee automatic entry into Europe. Border guards will verify that travellers meet the entry conditions upon arrival.

Frequently asked questions