For the last 10 years, there has been talks of regulating short travel in Europe, and finally in September the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will go live. Since it’ll soon be required for all travelers coming from countries outside of the EU, to get the VISA prior to their entry, I think it’s a great topic to learn more about! So let’s dive in and discover all important details.

If you will be traveling to any of the 27 EU countries, except Ireland, but also including Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (for a total of 30 countries), and you don’t hold a European passport, you will have to apply. This travel authorization is for short stays, therefore under 90 days (within a 180-day period), and will last either for 3 years or until your passport expires. On the official website of Europe Travel the ETIAS is referred to as a VISA-waiver: it is in fact directed to 59 countries who have had open access to Europe for the past decades. 

So why is this being introduced now? As mentioned before, this project has been in the works for a while. It is intended to increase security within Europe, have a better control of where people are and which borders are being crossed, and finally fund tourism in the Union. The cost of the ETIAS will be €20, with the exception of travelers younger than 18 and older than 70, and for a total estimate of over 300 millions of euros each year, which will make a significant difference in the management of tourism within the EU.

The application form is meant to be very quick and the approval should be received within a matter of minutes. It is possible that additional documentation will be requested, so it is suggested to apply well in advance. You must have your ETIAS prior to entering the country, regardless of the way of transport, so you will be denied boarding (onto your flight or train, etc.) if your passport isn’t linked to an exemption of any sort. Find out if you need to apply through the official website HERE.

As tourism grows more and more each year, with a new attention to the environment, new destinations gaining popularity and the surge of personalized-travel, I believe that the ETIAS can have a significant impact. Not only is it a source of income for the EU, but it will hopefully also be a tool to manage overtourism and preserve the most fragile destinations. The planet should be shared, along with the different cultures that make up our identity, but ensuring safety and using this industry for continuous regional development and improvement, is a duty Europe has to itself and its inhabitants. 

If you are planning a trip to Europe at the end of the year, or even for 2027, and you are unsure of how to navigate this new regulation, don’t hesitate to contact me and share your questions and doubts with a professional!