Eligibility of ETIAS

  • Costa Rica will be among the first countries to implement the ETIAS system
  • In 2025, Costa Rican citizens will have the opportunity to apply for ETIAS.
  • An online application system for ETIAS will be available for the convenience of Costa Rican citizens.

Other Requirements for ETIAS

  • Applying for ETIAS can be done online by Costa Rican citizens.
  • Travellers can use ETIAS to enter Europe by air, sea or land.
  • An e-passport that is machine readable is a requirement for travellers.
  • ETIAS is meant for short-term trips for tourism, business, transit, or medical reasons.
  • ETIAS will be free of charge for applicants who are either under 18 or over 70.

Starting in 2025, Costa Rican citizens will have to obtain an ETIAS in order to enter European countries that participate in the program. This is for short-term stays of less than 90 days and for the purpose of general tourism, business, transit or medical visits.

The ETIAS was established as a measure to enhance security and screen tourists arriving from abroad. This is due to the global increase in terrorist activities and the need to ensure the safety and security of European citizens. The ETIAS program will require travellers from certain countries, including Costa Rica, to complete an online application and pay a fee before they can enter the Schengen Area. 

The application will include questions about the traveller’s background, travel history, and security-related information. The information provided will be checked against various databases, including those related to security, immigration, and law enforcement, to determine the traveller’s admissibility to the Schengen Area.

The ETIAS program will also help to identify potential security risks and help authorities to take appropriate action to address them. This includes denying entry to individuals who may pose a threat to security, while also facilitating travel for those who do not pose a risk. 

The ETIAS program will be a valuable tool in helping European countries to maintain security while also facilitating travel for those who are eligible to enter. Additionally, the implementation of ETIAS will also help to reduce the number of illegal immigrants and help to prevent human trafficking.

The application process for ETIAS will be done online, and citizens can apply for it in advance of their trip. This will allow Costa Rican citizens to plan multiple trips to Europe without the need to reapply for the ETIAS each time.

In 2016, the ETIAS program was given the green light, but it would take four years to establish the necessary systems that would connect with existing immigration databases and other security data. This would provide a smooth and efficient new screening tool for the participating European countries.

Come 2025, Costa Rican citizens will be mandated to complete an ETIAS application before boarding any aircraft, sea carrier or coach vehicle bound for Europe. This requirement applies even to those who will only be passing through Europe on their way to other destinations.

If a Costa Rican citizen wishes to enter Europe for a stay longer than 90 days, or for reasons other than those permitted under the ETIAS program, they will need to apply for a Schengen visa. More information can be found by visiting https://etias.co.uk/ and using the homepage assessment tool.

To avoid delays and the risk of an ETIAS being refused, it is recommended that Costa Rican citizens complete their ETIAS application at least 96 hours prior to their departure date. To find out more about the ETIAS requirements and application process, the ETIAS requirements page and the ETIAS FAQ’s should be reviewed before starting an ETIAS application.

Starting in 2025, it will be mandatory to be a full Costa Rican citizen before applying for an ETIAS. This means that tourists holding a passport with a different status will be required to apply for a Schengen visa, and not an ETIAS. This change will affect people such as Costa Rican permanent residents, Costa Rican dual citizens, and those with stateless or refugee status. They will no longer be eligible to apply for ETIAS and will be required to apply for a Schengen visa instead. This is because the ETIAS is only intended for citizens of eligible countries, and not for those with a different legal status.

The requirement for full Costa Rican citizenship is only for the ETIAS application process, and not for entry into the Schengen Area. People holding a Schengen visa, regardless of their citizenship status, will still be able to enter the Schengen Area as long as their visa is valid and they meet the other entry requirements.

Costa Rican citizens who apply for ETIAS can expect a quick and efficient process. In most cases, the application will be processed and approved in a mattern of minutes. The authorisation will then be sent to the applicant by email, in the form of a PDF document. This means that there will be no need to present any actual physical documents as the ETIAS is electronically stored in the passport details that is in the EU Immigration database. This makes the process of travelling to Europe much more convenient and efficient, as traveller does not have to worry about carrying around any additional documents or remembering to bring their ETIAS with them.

Benefits of ETIAS

  • ETIAS will remain valid for a period of 3 years from the date of issuance.
  • ETIAS is valid for multiple entries within 90-day periods.
  • The authorisation process for ETIAS is quick and the authorisation is delivered electronically.
  • ETIAS can be applied on a desktop, tablet or mobile device.

Application Advice for ETIAS

  • It is recommended to submit the ETIAS application at least 96 hours before departure.
  • If an ETIAS application is denied, travellers can still apply for a full visitor visa.
  • While an ETIAS may be required, it does not guarantee entry to Europe as the final decision is made by the border security personnel of the European country of arrival.