What Is ETIAS and How Will It Affect Travel to Europe?

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The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a visa waiver for travellers from visa-exempt 'third countries' who want to enter Europe's Schengen Area. It is a pre-travel authorisation rather than a visa, and once it is in force it will be a mandatory condition for entry by air, sea or land.

Who needs ETIAS

ETIAS will apply to non-EU nationals from visa-exempt countries travelling to the Schengen states for short stays. It works much like the United States' ESTA or Canada's eTA: border guards check the authorisation alongside your travel document, and without a valid ETIAS entry can be refused.

You do not need ETIAS if you:

• hold a residence permit or residence card for an EU country
• are a family member of an EU, Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian or Swiss citizen
• travel on the passport of an EU member country (for example, if you hold dual nationality)

How to apply

Applications are made online through the official website or mobile app. Most are approved within minutes and at the latest within 96 hours, although additional checks can take up to 30 days. You will need a passport that is valid for more than three months and less than 10 years old, plus a payment card.

During the application you provide personal details, travel document information, education and occupation, your intended travel and stay, and answers about any criminal convictions, past travel to conflict zones, or previous removal from a country. Once submitted you receive a confirmation email with an application number, and a second email with the outcome. The authorisation is linked to your passport, so if you renew your passport you must apply again.

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Cost, validity and exemptions

ETIAS carries a one-off fee for applicants aged between 18 and 70; it is free for those under 18 or over 70. Once issued, it is valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows entry to the participating countries as many times as you like for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

You do not need ETIAS simply to transit through a European airport, as long as you stay in the international transit area. If you are unsure whether your destination is covered, our overview of how ETIAS works explains the rules in more detail before you travel.