Earlier in March, EU Home Affairs Ministers endorsed a revised timeline for the implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), pushing the projected start date to the last quarter of 2026.
Prior to this timeline adjustment, ETIAS—which is an entry requirement for non-European Union (EU) tourists planning to visit Europe's Schengen Zone—was projected to most recently be implemented in the first half of 2025. It was originally slated to begin on January 1, 2021, but has now been pushed back a number of times.
The EU's version of the United States Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), ETIAS aims to boost security measures while making the process smoother for short-term visitors. Once implemented, travelers will have to submit their ETIAS applications online using either the official ETIAS website or the official mobile app.
For Americans, the ETIAS application fee is about $8, with most applications being processed within minutes. The approval is valid for three years or until your passport expires, and multiple trips are allowed—removing the need to reapply for every visit. ETIAS approval is required even for transit, so if you have a layover in an ETIAS country, approval is mandatory. Without an ETIAS authorization, airlines may deny boarding, and border officials could refuse entry.
For more information on what ETIAS is, the steps in the application process, and what to do once you receive approval, visit the official ETIAS website.
Courtesy of Groups Today.
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