ETIAS: Major Europe visit rule change in 2024 means 1.4bn people need new ‘visa’ to visit Schengen area countries

It means more than 1.4bn more people will require the new travel permits when visiting Schengen area countries from 2024, as new travel red tape is introduced across the region.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a travel permit required by the nationals of more than 60 countries to visit most Schengen area countries from next year.

ETIAS travel permit rules

Travellers from countries including the UAE, UK, USA, Australia and Canada will need to apply for an ETIAS travel permit before being allowed to travel to around 30 European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

It is a requirement for all visa-exempt countries when visiting the region

Although the ETIAS permit is not a visa, it is linked to a traveller’s passport. No physical stamp or sticker will be given, but a digital record will be stored.

A starting date for ETIAS requirements is not yet announced by the EU, but it is expected to come in 2024 following a delay from 2023.

A website and mobile app for ETIAS applications isn’t live yet, but the EU says fees to apply for the permit will be €7 ($8). Official EU websites say applications will be processed within minutes.

Once a valid ETIAS travel permit is given it will be valid for three years, although a new document will be required if a passport expires or is replaced.

The ETIAS travel permit can be used for multiple entries and for stays of up to 90 days.

Accordint to the EU: “The ETIAS application form will ask travellers to provide personal information, such as name, address, passport details and current occupation. It will also contain questions about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions.

“Additionally, travellers will be required to indicate their travel plans in Europe.

“Those travellers who declare to have a family member who is a citizen of a European country requiring ETIAS will also be asked to provide further details about their family ties.”

However, travellers will not need to supply biometric information such as fingerprints or health details, such as vaccination status.

According to the European Union the permit is not a visa, but a “pre-travel authorisation system”. The procedures are similar to the Esta travel requirements when visiting the US or Canada’s eTA.

Travellers who already need a Schengen visa to visit Europe will not require a European Travel Information and Authorisation System permit.

Nationals of these countries will require permit to travel to Europe

  An ETIAS permit will be required to visit these countries

• Andorra
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria*
• Croatia
• Cyprus*
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania*
• San Marino
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Vatican City