European Travel Information and Authorisation System



The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a planned electronic authorisation system of the European Union for visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen Area (including EFTA countries), as well as Cyprus.

According to the European Commission, it is implemented "for the identification of security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors." It is not a visa, and it does not guarantee entry. It is expected to become operational in spring 2025.

ETIAS was first proposed by the European Commission in 2016 and was formally established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the European Council of 12 September 2018.

ETIAS is similar to other electronic travel authorisation systems, such as the United States Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Applicable nationalities
ETIAS would be needed to enter 30 European countries, including the 29 member states of the Schengen Area, as well as Cyprus. Ireland, which is part of the Common Travel Area, is the only member state of the European Union that continues to have its own visa policy and does not plan to join the Schengen Area or to require ETIAS.

Visitors who have dual nationality of an EU or Schengen country and of a visa-exempt country (for example, Italy and Canada) will not need ETIAS travel authorisation if they hold a travel document from the EU or Schengen country.

As of entering into use, ETIAS will be required from nationals of visa-exempt third countries (Annex II) except the European microstates of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City. It will also be required from family members of EU or Schengen nationals not holding a residence card indicating that status. However, ETIAS will not be required from family members holding such a card; from holders of visas, residence permits, local border traffic permits or refugee or stateless travel documents issued by an EU or Schengen country; from crew members; from holders of diplomatic or official passports; or from airport transit passengers.

, holders of ordinary passports of the following countries and territories, without a travel document from an EU or Schengen country, would match the ETIAS criteria: • 🇦🇱 Albania

• 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda

• 🇦🇷 Argentina

• 🇦🇺 Australia

• 🇧🇸 Bahamas

• 🇧🇧 Barbados

• 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina

• 🇧🇷 Brazil

• Brunei

• 🇨🇦 Canada

• 🇨🇱 Chile

• 🇨🇴 Colombia

• 🇨🇷 Costa Rica

• 🇩🇲 Dominica

• 🇸🇻 El Salvador

• Georgia

• 🇬🇩 Grenada

• 🇬🇹 Guatemala

• 🇭🇳 Honduras

• 🇭🇰 Hong Kong

• 🇮🇱 Israel

• 🇯🇵 Japan

• 🇰🇮 Kiribati

• Kosovo

• Macau

• 🇲🇾 Malaysia

• 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands

• 🇲🇺 Mauritius

• 🇲🇽 Mexico

• 🇫🇲 Micronesia

• 🇲🇩 Moldova

• 🇲🇪 Montenegro

• 🇳🇿 New Zealand

• 🇳🇮 Nicaragua

• North Macedonia

• 🇵🇼 Palau

• 🇵🇦 Panama

• 🇵🇾 Paraguay

• 🇵🇪 Peru

• 🇰🇳 Saint Kitts and Nevis

• 🇱🇨 Saint Lucia

• 🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• 🇼🇸 Samoa

• 🇷🇸 Serbia

• 🇸🇨 Seychelles

• 🇸🇬 Singapore

• 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands

• 🇰🇷 South Korea

• 🇹🇼 Taiwan

• Timor Leste

• 🇹🇴 Tonga

• 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago

• 🇹🇻 Tuvalu

• 🇺🇦 Ukraine

• 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

• 🇺🇸 United States

• 🇺🇾 Uruguay

• 🇻🇪 Venezuela

Application process
All prospective visitors will need to complete an online application and a €7 fee will be required from those between ages 18 and 70. It is estimated that 1.4 billion people will need to apply. The system is expected to process the vast majority of applications automatically by searching in electronic databases and providing an immediate response, but in some limited cases it may take up to 30 days. If approved, the authorisation will be valid for three years or until the expiry date of the travel document, whichever is earlier.