The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be a new condition for entry into most European countries from mid-2025. It will apply to citizens of around 60 visa-exempt countries. Similar travel authorisations are currently issued by the US, Canada and Australia, as well as other countries.
The ETIAS travel authorisation will be for short stays. It will allow visa-exempt travellers to stay in 30 European countries for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The authorisation will be valid for three years or until the expiry of the passport used at the time of application, if any.
The rules for visa-free travel to Europe will change next year. From 2025, travellers from more than 60 countries will have to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation. The application process will be quick and easy and the cost will be €7. Applications will have to be submitted via the official ETIAS website.
Air, boat and bus operators will have to check with passengers before boarding that they have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation. Citizens of certain countries that are otherwise exempt from the visa requirement will have to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation. Which European countries will require this travel authorisation, who will have to apply for it and who will be exempted can be checked via the official ETIAS website. A list of countries whose nationals require a travel authorisation and a list of countries that require it are available there (in English).
The ETIAS travel authorisation only allows travellers to enter and stay for a short period of time on the territory of European countries that require ETIAS. It does not give the right to study for a longer period of time or to work in these countries. Nationals from visa-exempt countries who intend to stay longer in an ETIAS-requiring European country are likely to need a long-stay visa. Travellers who already have a valid visa do not need an ETIAS travel authorisation.
The ETIAS aims to maintain a high level of internal security in the European Union while ensuring the smooth crossing of borders. Currently, European border authorities only check whether travellers pose a risk to security, public health or illegal immigration once they have arrived at the border. However, the ETIAS system will allow passengers to be checked before they set off on their journey, making it easier for them to travel.
There is only one official ETIAS website. This website currently provides information for travellers on the application procedure, complaints and other relevant topics. Once the ETIAS is operational, applications for travel authorisation will have to be submitted via the website.
Currently, there are at least around 20 unofficial ETIAS websites on the web, which provide information on the rules and conditions related to the ETIAS.
Although the ETIAS Regulation allows commercial intermediaries to submit an ETIAS application on behalf of others, there is a risk associated with third party websites. Some of these sites are operated by genuine commercial intermediaries, while others may be hosted by people with dubious intentions. These may be fraudsters who will try to profit financially at the expense of ETIAS applicants and may misuse applicants’ personal and credit card data. Travellers will have the possibility to report abuse on the official ETIAS website.
More information on the new European Travel Authorisation on the official ETIAS website.
The ETIAS activities are funded by the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy under the Integrated Border Management Fund for the programming period 2021-2027.
