ETIAS Requirement
We are planning on a trip to Europe later this Spring. I had read in the fall that we would be required to have an ETIAS attached to our passport, if we were entering the Schengen region in May or later. When I try to find out how to apply, it says that the website is not yet available. All I can find is that it would be required six months after the EES system is up.
Does anyone have further information about when it is expected to go into effect and when the website would be available?
Thank you.
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The website says that it won't launch until mid-2025 and there will be a 6 month grace period so you don't have anything to worry about there.
But if you're going to fly through a UK airport you need to get the UK Electronic Travel Authorization. No matter how you arrive in the UK, by air or ship, you need the UK ETA. It's good for 2 years and I forget the price but it's not too expensive.
Mike, I believe the UK changed their policy on making people just transiting have to get it. BA and Virgin Atlantic were annoyed because customers were using other airlines to avoid Heathrow and Manchester because of this. As long as you stay airside you don't need it. Apparently to counter the loss of income they changed it from 10 pounds per person to 16.
Thanks for the update. I'm taking a cruise and we have to have the UK ETA to get off the ship at any UK ports.
[I just checked and what you said is true - changed January 17, 2025. But I didn't see any change to the cost - it still says $12.75 for US citizens. I did the application about a week ago and it was $12.75. Maybe I didn't find the update.]
Ya'll remember my prediction over a year ago about the ETIAS rollout?
The ETA was implemented in January, so if they stick to the 6-month time period, ETIAS won't be up and running before July.
MCD, et al: The UK ETA has started (in January), but the ETIAS (EU ETA) won't start until 6 months after the EES (EU Entry/Exit System) starts. I think you are conflating the 2 unrelated systems. The "Entry/Exit system is currently not in operation. It is due to start in 2025." according to the official EU web site, the ETIAS doesn't even have a target date at the moment (other than 2025...and earlier 2022, 2023, & 2024).
Thanks, Portolan. I was confusing the ETA with the EES, which I had never heard of before!
It is confusing! Just be sure to check for all ETAs at their official government web sites. There are commercial sites which offer to get you the ETAs. At best, you'll pay more. At worst you'll be scammed.
My daughter did it for me from the government website -- and she even footed the $13 charge (or maybe it was 13 pounds)! And I won't have to pay for the ETIAS because of my advanced age.
Thank you all. I had found the same information that you quoted and felt that our May trip to France should be OK but wanted to see if anyone had other information.
This explains things MCD.
I don’t think either has started yet and I see nothing about age.
From the website
‘Key differences between ETIAS and the EES
The European Union is preparing for the launch of two new border management initiatives that will affect travel to Europe: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit Systems (EES). How will travel rules change and how are these two systems different? Find out below.
Why?
Both systems aim to strengthen European security and security of those who travel.
ETIAS is a new entry requirement for travellers who do not need a visa to enter 30 European countries for a short stay. These include the 29 countries belonging to the Schengen Area as well as Cyprus. With ETIAS, visa-free travellers will need to apply for a travel authorisation before starting their trip. ETIAS is not a visa, and its introduction does not modify the visa-free status of travellers.
The EES will register visa-free and visa-required travellers entering Europe for a short stay. No action will be required from travellers before they start their trip, as registration will be done at the external border of any of the 29 European countries using the system. The countries in question are the 29 Schengen countries. Registration on the EES will be done every time travellers cross external borders and will replace the manual stamping of passports.
How?
When applying for an ETIAS travel authorisation, travellers will need to provide their personal information, including address, passport details, current occupation, and information about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions. No biometric data, such as fingerprints, is collected with ETIAS.
The EES, on the other hand, will collect travellers’ facial image and fingerprints. It will also collect travel document data as well as the date and place where the traveller entered and exited the territory of European countries using the system.
When?
Travellers will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance of starting their trip to Europe, whereas registration with the EES occurs at the external border of the 29 countries using the system.
ETIAS and the EES will not be launched at the same time. The EES will become operational first and ETIAS will follow a few months after.
The exact dates will be announced by the EU later this year.
The UK ETA has started. You don’t need one if you are staying airside. This has changed from the original which said everyone needed it even staying airside.
Thank you British
ETIAS application fee is 7 euros pp unless you're under 18 or over 70. It's valid for 3 years. They also say that many applications are approved quickly but you should allow 3 days to be sure you get it in time.