All About ETIAS: Traveling in Europe Without a Visa

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All About ETIAS: Traveling in Europe Without a Visa in 2024

In 2024, the European Union (EU) will launch a new digital travel pass called ETIAS. This will affect many travelers from around the world.

Here’s what we’ll cover:
  • What is ETIAS?
  • When does ETIAS start?
  • Which places in Europe need ETIAS?
  • Who needs ETIAS?
  • Where to get ETIAS?
  • When to apply for ETIAS?
  • What info do you need for ETIAS?
  • What info isn’t needed for ETIAS?
  • How much does ETIAS cost?
  • How long does ETIAS take to approve?
  • How to check if ETIAS is approved?
  • How long is ETIAS valid?
  • What if ETIAS is denied?
  • ETIAS isn’t enough to enter Europe.

Starting next year, travelers from about sixty countries worldwide, who can currently visit Europe without a visa, will have to apply for a digital travel pass called ETIAS to enter one of the 30 European countries that will require this new step.

A detailed introduction to this new travel requirement for Europe.

Read also: Famous Europe Travel Guide | Bucket List Ideas and Places to Visit

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS, or European Travel Information and Authorization System, is like a permission slip for traveling to 30 European countries. It’s not a visa, and it doesn’t guarantee entry, but it’s needed for certain travelers.

When does ETIAS start?

Originally planned for 2022, then moved to May 2023, and then to November 2023, ETIAS is now set to start in 2024. We don’t know the exact date yet.

ETIAS, along with another system called EES, will begin in 2024, but they might not start at the same time due to some difficulties.

Which places in Europe need ETIAS?

There are 34 European countries and small places that will require ETIAS. They include:

  1. Austria
  2. Belgium
  3. Bulgaria
  4. Croatia
  5. Cyprus
  6. Czech Republic
  7. Denmark
  8. Estonia
  9. Finland
  10. France
  11. Germany
  12. Greece
  13. Hungary
  14. Iceland
  15. Italy
  16. Latvia
  17. Liechtenstein
  18. Lithuania
  19. Luxembourg
  20. Malta
  21. The Netherlands
  22. Norway
  23. Poland
  24. Portugal
  25. Romania
  26. Slovakia
  27. Slovenia
  28. Spain
  29. Sweden
  30. Swiss (Switzerland)

Being obligatory to transit through a country requiring ETIAS to visit the micro-states of Andorra (France and Spain), Monaco (France), San Marino (Italy) and the Vatican (Italy), obtaining authorization Electronic travel is required to travel to these territories.

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Who needs ETIAS?

If you have a passport from any of these 58 countries, you don’t need a visa, but you’ll need ETIAS to travel to Europe:

  1. Albania
  2. Antigua and Barbuda
  3. Argentina
  4. Australia
  5. Bahamas
  6. Barbados
  7. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  8. Brazil
  9. Brunei
  10. Canada
  11. Chile
  12. Colombia
  13. Costa Rica
  14. Dominic
  15. East Timor
  16. El Salvador
  17. Georgia
  18. Grenade
  19. Guatemala
  20. Honduras
  21. Hong Kong
  22. Israel
  23. Japan
  24. Kiribati
  25. Macau
  26. Malaysia
  27. Marshall Islands
  28. Mauritius
  29. Mexico
  30. Micronesia
  31. Moldova
  32. Montenegro
  33. New Zealand
  34. Nicaragua
  35. North Macedonia
  36. Palau
  37. Panama
  38. Paraguay
  39. Peru
  40. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  41. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  42. Samoa
  43. Serbia
  44. Seychelles
  45. Singapore
  46. Solomon Islands
  47. South Korea
  48. St. LUCIA
  49. Taiwan
  50. Tonga
  51. Trinidad and Tobago
  52. Tuvalu
  53. Ukraine
  54. United Arab Emirates
  55. United Kingdom (including British Overseas Territories):
    • Anguilla
    • Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
    • Bermuda
    • British Antarctic Territory
    • British Indian Ocean Territory
    • British Virgin Islands
    • Cayman Islands
    • Falkland Islands
    • Gibraltar
    • Montserrat
    • Pitcairn
    • Saint Helena
    • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
    • Turks and Caicos Islands
  56. UNITED STATES
  57. Uruguay
  58. Venezuela

People applying for Schengen visas don’t need ETIAS.

Where to get ETIAS?

You can apply for ETIAS on the European Union website: travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. There’s also a mobile app, but it’s not available yet.

When to apply for ETIAS?

Starting in 2024, if you need ETIAS, apply at least a month before your trip, and even earlier if you can. It usually gets approved quickly, but sometimes it takes up to 30 extra days if they need more information.

What info do you need for ETIAS?

When you fill out the ETIAS application, you’ll need to share the following details:

  1. Your personal info, like your name, family name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email, and phone number.
  2. Information from your travel document.
  3. Facts about your education and current job.
  4. Specifics about your planned trip and stay in countries that require ETIAS.
  5. Any history of criminal convictions, past travel to war zones, or if you’ve recently been told to leave a country.
  6. If you mention having a family member who’s a citizen of a European country needing ETIAS, you’ll also need to provide extra info about your family connection.

If someone else is applying for you, they’ll have to give their name, contact info, and explain their relationship with you.

What info isn’t needed for ETIAS?

You don’t have to share anything about your health or vaccinations. They won’t ask for fingerprints either.

How much does it cost?

It’s 7 € to apply for ETIAS in 2024. You can pay online.

If you’re under 18 or over 70, or if you’re a family member of an EU citizen, you don’t have to pay.

How long does ETIAS take to approve?

Most of the time, it only takes a few minutes. They’ll email you with the decision.

In rare cases, if they need more info, it might take up to 30 days. So, apply early.

How to check if ETIAS is approved?

After you apply, you’ll get an email saying they got your application. Keep the application number they give you.

If they approve it, you’ll get another email with the decision.

How long is ETIAS valid?

ETIAS is good for 3 years or until your travel document expires. You can visit the 30 countries as many times as you want during this time. But each visit can only be up to 90 days within 180 days.

What if ETIAS is denied?

If they say no, you can appeal the decision.

ETIAS isn’t enough to enter Europe

Remember, even if you get ETIAS, it doesn’t guarantee you can enter Europe. You still need to meet certain conditions at the border.

They’ll check things like how long you’re staying, why you’re visiting, and if you have enough money. They’ll also make sure your travel document is valid.

When you cross the border, they’ll use a new system called EES to keep track of who’s coming in. It’s like a digital stamp in your passport.

Once you’re in one of the 30 countries, you can travel freely because there are no border checks. Just make sure you don’t stay too long – no more than 90 days in 180 days.

Sources: European Union PinterPandai, Frontex (European Border and Coast Guard Agency)

Photo credit: Dusan_Cvetanovic via Pixabay

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