ETIAS: the travel authorisation that will be required in Europe

Citizens of 60 countries can currently visit Europe without the need to present visas, thanks to agreements with the Schengen Area. But that will change. From 2024 (the date has been postponed several times) these travellers will need to apply for a travel authorisation before they embark. This document is the ETIAS, an online permit developed to protect and strengthen borders, very similar to permits already in force in other territories, such as ESTA in the United States or Australia’s eVisitor. It is worth remembering that ETIAS will not be required from holders of European passports, which represents another advantage in having Portuguese citizenship. The ETIAS is not intended to be a hindrance to visitors, as we explain in this article.

Portuguese Citizenship: Who is entitled and how to apply

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is the acronym for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is an authorisation created by the European Union to identify possible threats or risks associated with visitors circulating through the Schengen Area countries, with a view to protecting and reinforcing their borders.

Who needs to present the ETIAS?

All travellers who currently do not need a visa to enter Europe, such as Brazil, Argentina, United States, United Arab Emirates, Canada, among others. The complete list can be found here.

The authorization is required for trips of up to 90 days, for business or tourism purposes, that is, the modalities that do not usually require a visa. Travellers who intend to live, study, work or stay in Europe for more than 90 consecutive days will have to apply for a visa, as it is already the case today.

EU citizens, on the other hand, do not need to present a passport and do not have to undergo any other type of border control at their mutual borders in the Schengen Area.

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Where will ETIAS be required?

The ETIAS programme will be required to enter one of the 26 Schengen member countries, plus Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania, which are in the process of joining. Each permit will be valid for 3 years (or until the expiry of the passport, whichever is earlier), and one permit will be sufficient for access to the entire Schengen Area, regardless of the number of countries one intends to visit. Those who have to pass through one Schengen country to enter another third country will also need a valid ETIAS for entry into the Schengen area.

What is the Schengen area?

It is the territory formed by European states that have signed an agreement to eliminate border security controls and ensure a free movement regime. In the Schengen area there are 22 EU member states, 4 Free Trade Association member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and 3 microstates (Monaco, Vatican and San Marino). Citizens belonging to one of the Schengen countries do not need to present a passport at the borders. Thanks to this agreement, more than 400 million European citizens are entitled to free movement within the territory without the need for a passport.

How to obtain the ETIAS?

ETIAS can be requested by completing an online application. This electronic form will request basic personal information such as name, address, date of birth, passport details, education, employment status, whether there are relatives living in Europe, country of entry and other countries you intend to visit. All applications are checked through various security files such as EUROPOL DATA, Interpol and others. Notification about the status of the application will arrive by email. The official ETIAS website has not yet been released by the authorities.

How much does the ETIAS cost?

The ETIAS will have a value of 7 euros. It can be paid with debit or credit cards. Minors under 18 years old and over 70 years old are exempt from the fee. One detail: the payment of the fee is not conditional on the approval of the entry permit.

Can ETIAS be denied?

Those who do not meet the ETIAS requirements may have their application denied. However, it is believed that most applications should be approved after automatic screening and quickly. Applications that require manual review may take up to two weeks to be approved or rejected. In some cases, the period may be extended to up to 60 days.

So, if you have the possibility to apply for Portuguese citizenship and therefore have access to the European passport, do not let this opportunity pass you by. The Portuguese passport is currently the fifth most powerful in the world allowing free access to 187 countries. Talk to our consultants and find out how to apply.

Source: European Commission, EtiasVisa