In 2025, the European Commission will implement a travel authorization system similar to the one used in the United States for travellers from non-EU countries. These travellers have not been required to obtain visas to visit the EU and Schengen member countries because they have a good track record on security and are not considered a threat to EU security. However, the EU aims to improve its border security and track the movement of people entering and exiting EU countries through digital means.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or ETIAS, is a system that will require a fee and check of the security credentials of travelers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical, or transit purposes. Currently, travelers who can visit Europe visa-free are able to enter EU and Schengen member countries without any digital security screening or fee prior to arrival. It is important to note that ETIAS is not a visa, but rather a visa-waiver program.

The ETIAS is a travel authorization for individuals from countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, who do not need a visa to travel to Europe. Similar to the ESTA, the ETIAS requires these visitors to undergo additional security checks before they are allowed to enter the EU. For more information about the ETIAS, including its requirements and implications, visit the FAQ.

What is the launch date for ETIAS?

As of October 01 2025, individuals from countries that do not currently require a visa to visit EU member states will need to obtain an ETIAS.

The ETIAS proposal was completed in November 2016 with the aim of increasing the security of the Schengen area. To do this, the EU Commission will require visa-free travelers to obtain travel authorization and undergo various security checks before arriving in any EU member states.

The purpose of ETIAS is to screen travelers before they arrive in Europe, and to keep individuals who pose a security risk from entering the EU, which would lower the chance of security incidents occurring involving EU citizens.

What is the purpose of ETIAS? 

Currently, citizens from about 60 countries are allowed to visit the EU and Schengen member countries without needing a visa. These travelers are limited to stays of up to three months for tourism, business, or transit purposes.

Even with the implementation of ETIAS, visa-free travelers will still not be allowed to work or study in the EU and will need to obtain the proper visa or residence permit if they wish to do so.

How does ETIAS work?

Launch

The ETIAS system is expected to go live in the latter half of 2025.

Application

To visit EU member countries, an ETIAS is required for every eligible traveler, regardless of their age. The ETIAS must be obtained online before arriving in the EU.

Eligibility

Dual citizens with passports from both an ETIAS-eligible country and an EU country do not need an ETIAS when entering and exiting Europe with their EU passport. ETIAS is required for citizens of countries with visa-free access to EU countries. Even those with a criminal history can apply for an ETIAS. British travelers will need to obtain an ETIAS in 2025.

Form fields

To apply for an ETIAS, you will need to provide the following information: personal biographic data (such as name, gender, and date of birth), passport or travel document details, the EU member state you will be entering, information about your health, criminal record, and previous EU immigration history.

Fee

The ETIAS fee is €7, however, individuals who are either under 18 or over 70 years old are exempt from paying this fee.

Application process

After you submit your application, it will be screened using various databases (including SIS / VIS / EUROPOL DATA / SLTD (Interpol) / EURODAC / ECRIS) and checked against the ETIAS screening rules and watchlist. If your application matches any information in these databases, it will be manually processed by the ETIAS Central and/or National Units.

Application decision

Typically, 95% of applications receive a decision within minutes of submission. If your application is approved, your ETIAS will be valid for three years or until the expiration date of your passport, whichever comes first. In some cases, it may take up to 96 hours to process your application if additional checks are needed. If additional documentation is required from you, the processing time may take up to four weeks. 

If your application is denied, you will be given the reason for the refusal and information about the country or authority that made the decision. If you wish to appeal a denied ETIAS application, you can file a request with the EU Member State that objected to granting the ETIAS.

Boarding

The ETIAS visa waiver is valid for transit, tourism, and business travel. It will be checked by the transportation company, whether it be an airline, sea vessel, or coach bus, before allowing the traveler to board. If the ETIAS is not approved, the traveler will not be permitted to embark on their journey.

In addition to being checked by transportation companies, the ETIAS visa waiver is also checked by border guards at the point of entry into the Schengen zone. If the ETIAS is not approved, the traveler will not be allowed to enter the Schengen area, even if they have been allowed to board their transportation. 

This is because the ETIAS is an important part of the border control process, and is used to ensure that only individuals who are eligible to enter the Schengen zone are allowed to do so. It is important for travelers to ensure that their ETIAS is approved before they embark on their journey, as being denied entry at the border can be a frustrating and costly experience.

Arrival at the EU

A border guard at the entrance to the Schengen zone will determine whether to admit a traveler based on several factors. The first factor is the EES system, which is a database of information on individuals who are eligible to enter the Schengen zone. This system checks the traveler’s name, date of birth, and other personal details against a list of individuals who have been approved for entry.

The second factor that the border guard will consider is the approved ETIAS, or European Travel Information and Authorization System. The ETIAS checks the traveler’s information against a variety of databases, including those related to security and migration, to determine if they pose a risk to the Schengen area.

Finally, the border guard will also consider the traveler’s documents and demeanor. This includes things like the traveler’s passport, visa (if required), and any other documents that are needed for entry. The border guard will also assess the traveler’s appearance and behavior, looking for any signs that the person may be trying to enter the Schengen zone fraudulently or for illegitimate purposes.

Revocation and Annulment

An ETIAS can be revoked for a number of reasons. If an application is found to be fraudulent, or if the applicant provided false or misleading information in their application, the ETIAS may be revoked. In addition, if the applicant’s circumstances have changed and the approval conditions are no longer valid, the ETIAS may also be revoked. For example, if an applicant has been convicted of a crime since their ETIAS was approved, or if they are no longer eligible to enter the Schengen zone for any other reason, their ETIAS may be revoked.

The revocation or annulment process is carried out by authorities in the EU Member State where the applicant first arrives. This means that if an ETIAS has been revoked, the traveller will not be allowed to enter the Schengen zone at any point of entry, regardless of where they were planning to go.