ETIAS in Detail

ETIAS is an authorisation system that requires certain travellers to the Schengen Area (29 European countries that signed an agreement to abolish internal borders and allow travellers to move freely) to complete an application.

It means that authorities can track Visa-exempt citizens arriving in one of these countries while also learning of their whereabouts as they cross borders.

It was supposed to take effect several years ago, but delays in implementing the system and dealing with the pandemic meant it was pushed back several times. It is now expected to begin in mid-2025.

Which Countries Use the ETIAS?

ETIAS is required for visa-exempt access to all of the 29 Schengen Area member states, as well as Cyprus. See below for a full list:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Who Needs an ETIAS?

ETIAS only applies to visa-exempt travellers, including those from the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as Canada, Australia, and dozens of other countries. As things stand, UK travellers can enjoy a holiday in Spain or Greece without worrying about authorisation systems or visas. However, once ETIAS takes effect, that will change, and most UK travellers to the above nations will be required to apply for authorisation.

There are a few exceptions, but acquiring some of these is more complicated than getting an ETIAS:

Holders of valid visas Holders of residence permits Crew members Family members of EU/Schengen citizens in possession of a residence card

How to Apply for an ETIAS

Once the system goes live, travellers can apply for an ETIAS online through the official site. It takes just a few minutes to complete this process and is expected to cost just €7 per person. Everyone in your group will need to apply for authorisation, and there may be some discounts available for applicants under 17 or over 70.

The authorisation process is automated. The system will merely check the user’s details against lists provided by international authorities, ensuring that there are no concerns with regards to ongoing sanctions, active arrest warrants, or police investigations. Authorisation is typically granted within a couple of minutes, but if there is an issue, the application will be flagged for manual review.

How Long Does ETIAS Last?

Once authorisation is granted, it will apply for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day window. This applies across all countries in the Schengen Area, and you don’t need to keep applying for authorisation if you plan on border hopping and visiting multiple countries in the space of a few months.

ETIAS authorisation is active for three years, provided your passport is valid throughout that time. As it is tied to your passport, you will need to reapply if it expires before your ETIAS does.

How Does ETIAS Compare to a Visa?

ETIAS is not a visa. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about the system. Rather, it tracks visa-exempt travel. If you need a visa to visit ETIAS-applicable countries before the system is implemented, you will need one after, as well. ETIAS only applies to travellers who didn’t need a visa before and are not part of the Schengen Zone.

Summary: UK Travelers and ETIAS

The ETIAS has caused concern among some UK travellers. For years, we haven’t needed to worry about additional checks and authorisations before flying to popular European destinations like Spain, Italy, and Greece, and unless you have some experience with cross-continental travel, the idea of applying for a visa is probably alien to you.

But it’s important to remember that ETIAS was created to simplify things and provide more security. It’s a cheap, fast, and largely automated process, and it doesn’t require the sort of strict checks used for visa applications. It is an extra step and an extra cost for travellers to the Schengen Area, but it’s really just a minor inconvenience and is nothing to worry about.

FAQs about ETIAS

How Long Does the ETIAS Remain Valid?

It remains valid for three years or until your passport expires.

What Happens if My ETIAS Application is Rejected?

You can appeal the rejection. You may need to send additional information.

When Does ETIAS Begin?

It is currently scheduled for the middle of 2025, but it’s worth noting that the implementation date has been knocked back several times before, so it may happen again. If you plan on travelling after this date, keep an eye on ETIAS updates to see if you will need to apply for authorisation or not.

What if I Need to Stay Longer than 90 Days?

If you want to remain in the area for longer than 90 days during a 180-day window, you may need to apply for a visa.

Do I Need to Apply Every Time I Visit?

No. As long as your ETIAS and passport are valid, you can revisit as many times as you need.

Why Would an ETIAS Be Rejected?

There could be a security issue, but it’s more likely that you entered your information incorrectly.