From mid-2025, non-EU visitors to Europe's Schengen member countries will need to apply for ETIAS or a Schengen visa
If you’ve been following the European Union’s ongoing saga of “Coming Soon” travel regulations, you’ll know that ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) has been dangling before us like an overly ambitious New Year’s resolution.
Originally set to launch in 2020, then 2021, then November 2023, and now—surprise, surprise—it has been delayed yet again. The current expectation is that it will be implemented in mid-2025.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is the EU’s answer to the US ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), adding an extra layer of scrutiny for visitors who currently don’t need a visa to enter Schengen member states. Officially, it’s designed to identify “security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks” posed by visa-exempt travellers. In practical terms, it means filling out an online form and paying a small fee before hopping on a flight to Europe.
Please note that ETIAS is not the same as a Schengen visa. Nationals who need to apply for a Schengen visa should continue to do so. We will expand on this point later.
Tourists in Vatican CityShutterstock
Countries requiring ETIAS
Visitors to the following 30 European countries will need to apply for ETIAS: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Four of these countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) are not part of the EU but are associate members of the Schengen Area.
Notably, Ireland is exempt, so if you fancy skipping the ETIAS hassle, a trip to Dublin remains a viable option.
A traveller in Lisbon, PortugalShutterstock
Who needs to apply for ETIAS?
Anyone who currently enjoys visa-free travel to the Schengen Area will need to apply for ETIAS once the system is in place. This includes nationals of the following 58 countries:
Africa: Mauritius, Seychelles.
Asia: Brunei, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor-Leste (East Timor), United Arab Emirates.
Europe: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
North America: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America.
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Oceania: Australia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu.
Additional note:
Nationals of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia with biometric passports need an ETIAS travel authorisation. Others need a visa.
What’s required to apply for ETIAS?
Security is a top concern for Schengen member countries, and applicants will need to provide:
- Personal information (name, date of birth, contact details)
- Passport details (nationality, passport number, issue date, and expiration date)
- Travel plans within Europe
- Responses to security-related questions regarding criminal history, past travel to Europe, and other relevant information.
Most applications are processed within minutes.
However, some applications may take longer. In such cases, you will receive a decision within four days, though processing can extend to 14 days if additional documents are required or up to 30 days if an interview is necessary. Hence, it is advisable to apply for ETIAS well in advance of your intended travel date.
A tourist in Budapest, HungaryShutterstock
Is ETIAS the same as a Schengen visa?
No. ETIAS is an authorisation, not a visa.
ETIAS applies to non-European visitors (such as Americans, Australians, Brazilians, Japanese, Malaysians, and Singaporeans) who can currently enter these 30 European countries (listed above) without a visa. Once ETIAS is in place, these visitors must obtain authorisation before travelling.
A Schengen visa, on the other hand, is required for nationals of countries that need a visa to visit Schengen member states. The ETIAS system does not affect the Schengen visa process.
When can you start applying?
The ETIAS online application process isn’t available yet, but we will announce it here when it is ready. Please bookmark this page and check back for updates.
This article was first published in 2018 and last updated in January 2025.
