What is ETIAS and why will you need it for European travel? Don't get caught unaware in 2023!

Coming soon to a trip near you

Europe has long been the most popular destination region in the world and travel to the continent has rebounded strongly in 2022. We've had our ups and downs with entry regulations over the past two years, but recently these have begun to ease significantly.

Since we're all used to a bit of extra red tape these days, we are well-prepared to add another small task to our European travel to-do lists for the future: the European Travel Information and Authorization System, known more widely as ETIAS.

Delayed launch

Initially intended to take effect on January 1, 2021, ETIAS is now slated to launch next year. Starting January 1, 2023, all U.S. citizens traveling to the 26 member states of Europe’s Schengen Zone will need to register in advance or potentially be turned away at the border.

The reasoning behind ETIAS

The EU is working to identify any possible threats or risks that any incoming passenger may pose. This simple online registration system will allow member states to know in advance who is arriving and perform security checks. A related system will help track movements across borders within the Schengen Zone.

Is this a visa?

No. ETIAS is a travel authorization for visa-free visitors, similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization of the U.S. While this is not a tit for tat situation per se, it does bring requirements for US travelers headed for Europe in line with what we require for them to cross our own borders.

ETIAS will only prescreen travelers who do not need a Schengen visa. Only travelers going to the EU from visa-exempt countries may use ETIAS.

It's not just US citizens who will be part of the ETIAS program. Travelers from more than 60 countries will be required to have an ETIAS authorization when visiting countries in the Schengen Zone. 

Which countries will require ETIAS for entry?

The new travel authorization applies to those entering any member country of Europe’s Schengen Zone. Currently, that includes 22 countries that are also members of the EU, four non-EU countries, plus three European micro-states. That means that you’ll need to register to enter Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The micro-states of San Marino, Vatican City, and Monaco will also require the registering.

While Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus aren’t currently Schengen countries, they are in the process of joining and will be subject to the same requirements once they do.

However, there are still many European nations that aren’t part of the Schengen Zone, mostly in Eastern Europe. That means you’ll be able to travel to Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine without an ETIAS.

How long will an ETIAS take to process?

The ETIAS application should only take about 10 minutes to complete, once it's up and running online. To apply, you’ll need your passport (valid for at least six months after the last date of your trip), an email address, and a debit or credit card to pay the nonrefundable €7 application fee, which applies to individuals between the ages of 18 and 70. Those under the age of 18 or over 70 still need to have an ETIAS but will not have to pay the fee. 

Your application will also include several security and health-related questions. Once submitted, your ETIAS application will be processed and within five days you should receive an email confirming that your ETIAS has been approved.

Please note, however, that some applications may take up to a month for processing, so you do not want to leave this task until the last minute!

Will you have to apply for every single trip to Europe?

No. Your ETIAS will be valid for three years—or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. 

We've all been filling out passenger locator forms for every European trip over the last year or so, and this may end up being a similar experience for those clients who have already been submitting extra documents for travel during the pandemic. It turns out that all of that may have been good practice–and, happily, this one will last for a while.

Where can I find more information on ETIAS?

Details can be found at these websites:
https://www.etiasvisa.com/

https://www.schengenvisainfo.c...

Celebration of Classical Music on the Danube: 

Virtual Sip & Sail, 6:00-7:00pm CDT on Tuesday, April 19th

Pour a glass of your favorite Central European vintage and tune in for some special surprises and announcements regarding this trip!

We will enjoy the inaugural sailing of this brand new AmaWaterways itinerary in late March 2023. Add a pre-trip stay in Krakow before we board the AmaSonata in Budapest, and enjoy a post-trip extension in Vienna with activities highlighting the exceptional art and music on offer in this grande dame of culture.  

I will be joined by Janet Bava, the dynamic Chief Marketing Officer of AmaWaterways, as well as my AmaWaterways guru for Texas, Laurie Smith. 

If you are unable to attend but would like to view the presentation later, please register anyway and I will send you the link to enjoy at your leisure.