Europe: ETIAS Launch Imminent for Schengen Travelers
The EU’s new ETIAS travel authorization system will soon replace visa-free access for 60+ nationalities visiting the Schengen Area by 2023.
As governments around the world increasingly require travel formalities to enter their territories, Europe is preparing to introduce a new entry requirement for visitors to the Schengen Area.
© Oliver Cole
Reminder: What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a zone of free movement in which travelers can cross internal borders without passport checks once they have entered any one of the member states. In 2021 the Space comprised:
22 of the EU’s 27 members; Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus and Croatia do not yet participate in full, while Ireland holds an opt-out and joins only in part;
Four non-EU countries—Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein—are also full participants.
Flights between two Schengen destinations count as domestic services.
ETIAS: raising security and streamlining travel
The new European Travel Information and Authorization System is designed to strengthen border security by vetting every applicant before they travel. Details collected will be screened against security databases to ensure no person poses a threat to Schengen countries. Authorized travelers will receive a valid ETIAS for multiple entries over a three-year period, making the journey both safer and smoother.
A tool to refine European tourism policy
The system also helps European authorities gather data on who is visiting, why they are traveling, and what infrastructure is needed to support them. By clarifying visitor profiles and travel purposes, officials can plan transportation, accommodation and services more effectively. In so doing, ETIAS strikes a balance between robust security and a hassle-free traveler experience.
Currently, travelers from roughly 60 countries outside the EU may enter the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism, business, medical treatment or transit. ETIAS authorization will become mandatory for these passport holders beginning in 2023.
The Visamundi team is monitoring ETIAS developments closely and will provide step-by-step guidance as soon as the system goes live.