7 ETIAS Rules Students From Visa-Free Countries Should Know Before a Short Study Trip

Language courses, exchange weeks and summer programmes give international students a valuable way to experience Europe, meet people from different backgrounds and sharpen their language skills. From next year, however, students from visa-free countries will also have to meet a new travel requirement when they join a short study programme: the ETIAS travel authorisation. Here is what that means in practice.

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Where ETIAS applies and how long you can stay

ETIAS will be required to enter and stay in 30 European countries — the 29 Schengen countries plus Cyprus. Make sure you obtain it before you start your trip. With an ETIAS, you can study in those countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For longer programmes, a short authorisation is not enough: you will need a student visa instead.

Applying: passport, fee and the official website

To apply for an ETIAS, you will need a passport that is valid for more than three months and not older than 10 years, an email address, a completed online form, and the €20 fee. There is only one official ETIAS website where you fill in the application, so be sure you are using it rather than a copycat. Once granted, your authorisation will be valid for three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and it allows multiple entries.

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It is not a visa — and watch for scams

ETIAS is not a visa. It is a travel authorisation comparable to those already used by other countries, such as the United States (ESTA), Canada (eTA), Australia (ETA and eVisitor) and the United Kingdom (ETA). Be alert to scams: there are over 100 unofficial ETIAS websites, and while some may be run by legitimate businesses, others are far less trustworthy. If you decide to ask a third party to apply on your behalf, choose an intermediary you trust.

Planning a longer stay? If you are studying for more than 90 days you will need a student visa, and you can remain for up to an additional 90 days after it expires provided you hold a valid ETIAS and are registered in the Entry/Exit System (EES). If you are unsure whether the rules apply to you, our guide to the ETIAS application is a good starting point.