by Ellen Blake
European Travel and Authorization System (ETIAS)
Planning an upcoming European vacation? You need to know about the new European Travel and Authorization System (ETIAS), scheduled to start in 2024.
According to the European Commission, travel in the EU will be a little more expensive next year. The new process requires that Foreign visitors aged 18-70 pay a 7 euro fee, which is just under $7.42 in U.S. dollars, providing a new revenue stream for the area.
ETIAS authorization required
Travelers also will need to apply for authorization through the official ETIAS website or app before their trip overseas. Essentially, the ETIAS authorization is a visa waiver; it is not a visa. U.S. citizens can still plan to travel to Europe visa-free as long as they have the required ETIAS approval.
The purpose of this new system is to create a central data repository on non-Europeans visiting the EU. The process will be largely automated and used to identify security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt travelers headed to the Schengen States. (The Schengen States include 26 European countries including France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Greece). The ETIAS system will also facilitate the crossing of borders for the vast majority of travelers who do not pose a risk for entry.
WHICH EUROPEAN NATIONS WILL REQUIRE ETIAS AUTHORIZATION TO VISIT?
Online application and authorization process
The European Commission promises the online application and approval for ETIAS authorization will be quick and easy. In fact, most applicants will be approved within minutes. Fingerprints and other biometric data will not be collected. Once approval is granted, the authorization is valid for three years or until the expiration date of an individual’s passport or other travel documents. It’s expected the authorization will be checked by border guards along with other travel documents.
While ETIAS is not a visa, it will be a mandatory requirement. You don’t want to risk being turned away at the border. Go to the ETIAS website for more information and to receive notification when the application process is officially open.
