ETIAS
A travel authorization that will be required for visa-exempt nationals visiting 30 European countries. It will be applied for online before departure.
Not yet launched · start date not announcedWho needs ETIAS
ETIAS — the European Travel Information and Authorisation System — will be required if your passport is from a country that does not require a Schengen visa for short stays (the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most of Latin America, among others). You will need ETIAS to enter any of the 30 participating European countries once it starts operating. It is not yet in operation, and the EU has said it will announce the start date several months in advance.
ETIAS is not a visa. It is a pre-screening system, similar to the US ESTA or Canada eTA. Approval is electronic and linked to your passport.
How to apply
Once ETIAS opens, apply only at travel-europe.europa.eu. The form is expected to take about 10 minutes to complete.
Free for applicants under 18 or over 70. Payment by credit or debit card.
Most decisions are expected to arrive within minutes. Apply at least 4 days before travel to allow for additional screening.
Common rejection reasons
- Passport expires within 3 months of planned return date
- Name or passport number does not match official records
- Prior immigration violation or entry refusal in a Schengen country
- Incomplete answers on the security or health questionnaire
- Outstanding alert in the Schengen Information System (SIS)
Frequently asked
No. ETIAS is a travel authorization, not a visa. It does not require an embassy visit, an interview, or supporting documents beyond your passport details.
All 30 Schengen area member states — including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. The full list is on the official ETIAS site.
Yes. Every traveler, regardless of age, will need an individual ETIAS. The fee will be waived for applicants under 18.
You may appeal the decision or apply for a standard Schengen visa. The denial notice will include the reason and next steps.