Do you have travel plans to Europe? You’ll want to be prepared with the soon-to-be-implemented European Travel Information and Authorization System that will require all US citizens to register before arrival. It’s a quick application process and will be electronically linked to your passport. Read on for the full scoop so you can keep your travel plans seamless and smooth! (At the time of publication in Oct 2024, the ETIAS is expected to start in early 2025 – check back for updates!)
What Is The ETIAS?
The ETIAS stands for the new European Travel Information and Authorization System that is set to launch during the first half of 2025 (although no exact date has been announced and it has been delayed several times already). Unlike a visa, all U.S. citizens who want to travel to the 29 member countries of Europe’s Schengen Zone will need to register with ETIAS before arriving. There will be a transitional period of six months where travelers will still be allowed to cross borders without the ETIAS, but after that, you risk being turned away at the border.
What Is The Purpose of the ETIAS?
Essentially, this new protocol is all about safety. The European Union is implementing this new travel authorization program to protect and strengthen its borders, and by requiring visitor registration with the hope to be able to identify any possible threats before they arrive. This increased awareness and vigilance is intended to keep everyone safer while traveling across borders. The ETIAS website states: “The EU wants to strengthen its border security as well as digitally screen and track travelers entering and leaving EU countries.”
Who Needs To Use ETIAS?
American citizens, as well as travelers from 60 other countries, will require an ETIAS-approved application to travel to any of the Schengen Zone countries. This applies to all ages as well. With the hope of a streamlined entry process, the ETIAS aims to reduce border wait times upon arrival for everyone.
Which countries does this apply to?
This applies to the following 32 countries and territories: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Vatican City.
How To Complete an ETIAS Application
Once the ETIAS application is available online, the form should only take about 10 minutes to complete. You can check the official website here: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
To apply, you’ll need a valid U.S. passport, an email address, and a debit or credit card to pay the nonrefundable fee. The cost of an ETIAS is €7 (about $8 USD) however, individuals under the age of 18 or over 70 will not need to pay. Authorities say that applications will be processed within minutes and at the latest within 96 hours. The ETIAS website states “The following data will be required for each ETIAS application: personal biometric data (e.g. name, gender, data of birth, etc), passport or travel document information, EU member state of entry, background questions on an applicant’s health, criminal record as well as previous EU immigration history.”
How Long Does an ETIAS Authorization Last?
Your approved ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It will be valid for short-term stays of up to 90 days for both leisure and business travelers and you can reenter Europe multiple times within those three years without renewing it. Work and study visas will still need to be secured separately, per usual protocol.
Please note that ETIAS states that this new authorization “will be checked by the traveler’s air carrier, sea carrier or international carrier transporting groups overland by coach. If an ETIAS is not approved, the traveler will not be allowed to board the travel vessel, be it an airplane, boat or coach vehicle.” The authorization is electronically linked to your passport, so you won’t need any additional physical documentation. So be sure to plan ahead for safe and smooth travels!
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