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.

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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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