7 Myths and Facts About ETIAS

As awareness of ETIAS grows, so does the spread of inaccurate information. Whether circulating on travel forums or unofficial websites, many of the most common claims about ETIAS are incorrect. The official travel-europe.europa.eu/etias website has addressed these directly.

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ETIAS Covers 30 Countries, Not Just Schengen

Myth: ETIAS only applies to the 27 Schengen countries. Fact: ETIAS will be required for travel to 30 European countries. These include all 27 Schengen states plus Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus, which are EU members not yet fully integrated into the Schengen area.

Myth: ETIAS is a visa for nationals of countries that previously had visa-free access. Fact: ETIAS is not a visa. It is a travel authorisation similar to the US ESTA, Canada's eTA, or Australia's ETA. Unlike a visa, the ETIAS application is completed entirely online — no consulate visit, no biometric data collection. An approved ETIAS allows short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period but does not grant the right to work, study, or reside long-term.

Myth: There are many websites that can be used to apply for ETIAS. Fact: There is only one official ETIAS application channel: travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. Commercial intermediaries are permitted to apply on behalf of clients, but they must use this same official website. Any other site claiming to offer ETIAS services is unofficial.

ETIAS Is Not a Visa — and It Is Not Optional

Myth: ETIAS will be valid for five years. Fact: An ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for three years, or until the expiry of the passport used in the application — whichever comes first.

Myth: If your ETIAS application is refused, you can apply for a Schengen visa instead. Fact: This is not possible. ETIAS and a Schengen visa are different instruments for different categories of travellers. Eligible nationals cannot substitute one for the other. A refusal of ETIAS means the traveller cannot cross the external borders of the European countries requiring ETIAS.

Validity, Fees, and What the Application Really Asks

Myth: Only people between 18 and 70 need to apply for ETIAS. Fact: All visa-free travellers, regardless of age, must hold a valid ETIAS travel authorisation. However, travellers under 18 or over 70 are exempt from paying the €20 application fee.

Myth: Applicants must provide medical information as part of the ETIAS application. Fact: No medical information is required. The application asks for personal details such as passport data, home address, current occupation, and information about past travel to conflict zones or any criminal convictions.