Security Union: A European Travel Information and Authorisation System - Questions - Answers - Fact Sheet

Sep 19, 2026

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Provides an authoritative Q&A fact sheet on ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System proposed to strengthen security checks for visa-free travellers entering the Schengen area. Explains ETIAS as an automated IT process that verifies potential security and irregular migration risks while keeping the visa-free status intact. Details key operational steps, including online application, automated assessment, fee collection, and timelines for approval, and clarifies how ETIAS differs from a Schengen visa and its impact on the common visa policy.

LanguageEnglish

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Pages5

Reading Time2 min

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1. What is the ETIAS?

Difference between a Schengen visa and an ETIAS travel authorisation

Impact of ETIAS on the common visa policy

2. How will ETIAS work in practice?

What will visa-exempt travellers have to do before their travel

European Commission-Fact Sheet Security Union: A European Travel Information and Authorisation SystemQuestions & Answers Strasbourg, 5 July 2018 1. What is the ETIAS? What is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System ( ETIAS) ? In November 2016 , the Commission proposed to establish a European Travel Information and Authorisation System ( ETI AS) to strengthen security checks on those persons who travel visa-free to the EU, currently nationals from over 60 countries (full list here) . The ETIAS will be an automated IT system created to identify any security or irregular migratory risks posed by visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen area, whilst at the same time facilitate crossing borders for the vast majority of travellers who do not pose such risks . All non-EU nationals who do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen area will have to apply for a travel authorisation through the ETI AS system prior to their trip . The information gathered via the ETIAS will allow, in full respect of fundamental rights and data protection principles, for advance verification of potential security or irregular migration risks . After filling in an online application form , the system will conduct checks against EU information systems for borders and security and , in the vast majority of cases, issue a travel authorisation within minutes . The ETI AS travel authorisation will be a mandatory pre-condition for entry to the Schengen area . It will be checked together with the travel documents by the border guards when crossing the EU border. This prior verification of visa exempt non-EU citizens will facilitate border checks; avoid bureaucracy and delays for travellers when presenting themselves at the borders; ensure a coordinated and harmonised risk assessment of third-country nationals; and substantially reduce the number of refusals of entry at border crossing points . What is the difference between a Schengen visa and an ETIAS travel authorisation? The ETI AS authorisation is not a visa . Nationals of visa liberalisation countries will continue to travel the EU without a visa but will simply be required to obtain a travel authorisation via ETI AS prior to their travel. ETIAS will be a simple, fast and visitor-friendly system , which will, in more than 95% of cases, result in a positive answer within a few minutes . An ETIAS travel authorisation does not reintroduce visa-like obligations . There is no need to go to a consulate to make an application , no biometric data is collected and significantly less information is gathered than during a visa application procedure . Whereas, as a general rule, a Schengen visa procedure can take up to 15 days, and can in some cases be extended up to 30 or 60 days, the online ETI AS application only takes a few minutes to fill in . The validity will be for a period of three years, significantly longer than the validity of a Schengen visa . An ETI AS authorisation will be valid for an unlimited number of entries . The ETI AS travel authorisation will be a necessary and small procedural step for all visa-exempt travellers which will allow them to avoid bureaucracy and delays when presenting themselves at the borders . ETI AS will fully respect this visa-free status; facilitate the crossing of the Schengen external border; and allow visa free visitors to fully enjoy their status . What is the impact of ETIAS on the common visa policy? Visa liberalisation is an important tool in building partnerships with third countries and in increasing the attractiveness of the EU for business and tourism . Mandatory advance verification and assessments of potential security or irregular migration risks related to visa-exempt travellers through the ETI AS , while fully respecting their visa-free status, will help to safeguard and complement the success of the EU's visa liberalisation policy. Adding this layer of information and risk assessment will allow visitors to fully en

FAQs

What is ETIAS and who needs it?

ETIAS is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System designed to identify potential security or irregular migration risks for visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen area. All non-EU nationals who do not need a visa for travel to the Schengen area must apply for a travel authorisation via ETIAS before their trip.

How is an ETIAS travel authorisation different from a Schengen visa?

ETIAS is not a visa: visa-liberalisation nationals continue to travel without a visa but must obtain travel authorisation via ETIAS beforehand. The process involves a short online application, no biometric data is collected, and in most cases a positive answer is issued within minutes.

What steps must travellers complete before their trip?

Travellers must complete an online application through a dedicated website or a mobile application. The application should take no more than 10 minutes and should require only a travel document (passport or equivalent), with an electronic €7 fee required for applicants aged 18 to 70.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by James