What is ETIAS?

What is ETIAS?

The Travel Information and Authorization System (TAIS) or ETIAS, which has been created by the European Union for citizens of countries that are currently exempt from visa requirements to visit the Schengen Area.

The main objective of ETIAS is to contribute to the security of European borders by facilitating the identification of possible threats and risks associated with persons wishing to travel to any of the Schengen countries. Authorization will be required to access Schengen member countries by air, land or sea. From 2024, all visa-exempt foreign visitors to Europe will be required to obtain this authorization. The introduction of the ETIAS permit will not change free transit, but it will be a mandatory requirement for entry into Europe.

It is not a European visa, but a travel authorization for third country nationals who are exempt from visa requirements to travel to the more than 20 countries of the Schengen area. Currently, there are more than 50 countries that need to apply for the ETIAS travel permit in order to visit the Schengen area. The authorization is designed for short-term trips of up to 90 days. All those wishing to travel to Europe for tourism, transit or business will need to obtain the permit in order to travel to any of the Schengen countries.

Once the ETIAS is approved by the system, the permit will be valid for 3 consecutive years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

Remember that the travel authorization does not exempt visa-exempt visitors from passing through security points at ports of entry upon arrival in the EU, just as all other travelers do.