Israel recently announced the postponement of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) requirement for visa-exempt travelers.. Initially scheduled for summer 2024, this measure will come into force on January 1, 2025. This decision was taken to enable airlines and travellers to better prepare for this new requirement, by extending the test phase.
What is ETA-IL?
The ETA-IL is an electronic travel authorization that nationals of certain countries must obtain before traveling to Israel. This measure applies to citizens of countries currently exempt from visa requirements for short-term stays. The ETA-IL allows you to stay in Israel for a maximum period of 90 days per visitIt is valid for multiple entries over a two-year period, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
Application process
To obtain an ETA-IL, travellers must fill in an online form on the Civil Status and Immigration Authority (PIBA) portal. The form requires personal information, passport details and information about the planned trip. Once the form has been submitted, a check is carried out, and authorization is usually sent by e-mail within a few minutes to 72 hours.
Cost and validity
During the pilot period, which began on July 1, 2024, the ETA-IL will be issued to free of charge. However, from January 1, 2025, a fee of 25 NIS (7 €) will be applied to each application. The ETA-IL is valid for 2 years and allows multiple entries into Israel, each stay not to exceed 90 days.
| Features | Detail |
|---|---|
| Effective date | January 1, 2025 |
| Countries concerned | 99 visa-free countries |
| Period of validity | 2 years or until passport expires |
| Maximum length of stay | 90 days per visit |
| Cost | 25 NIS (approx. USD 7) from 2025 |
| Pilot period | July 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024 |
| Application procedure | Online via the PIBA portal |
| Processing time | Minutes to 72 hours |
Countries concerned
Nationals of the following countries must obtain an ETA-IL before travelling to Israel: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, as well as other European and selected non-European countries.
The postponement of the mandatory implementation of ETA-IL to January 2025 was mainly motivated by requests from airlines, who expressed the need for more time to adapt to the new system. This transitional period also allows travellers to familiarize themselves with the new requirements without any immediate constraints.
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