In order to facilitate the entry of citizens of certain countries, the member states of the Schengen area concluded a visa liberalisation agreement. This means that citizens of certain states could enter the Schengen area without a visa for 90 days. If there was no agreement between a state, the traveller needed a Schengen visa for the stay. This allowed the traveller to stay within the Schengen area for up to 90 days. A national visa was required for a longer stay.
These regulations will change in the near future. Similar to the USA with ESTA, the Schengen area introduces an entry permit called ETIAS. There are conflicting information about the exact starting date. Some speak of the beginning of 2021, other sources give the end of 2022.
ETIAS enables secure, visa-free travel within the Schengen area
For the 62 countries that have so far been able to enter the Schengen area without a visa, this means a great saving of time and money. They do not have to make an expensive application at the consulate, do not have to undergo an interview or provide information about their personal situation. This procedure, however, involves some dangers. It is not possible to prevent people from entering the Schengen area with unfair intentions. In recent years, there have been repeated and devastating attacks in the major European cities. In order to make the Schengen area more secure, the member states could also introduce a visa requirement for the 62 countries mentioned. However, these are safe third countries from which no major terrorist threat emanates. ETIAS is a good compromise. The application is completed within a short time. The Member States know the most important basic data of the traveller and can estimate the potential danger.
What does ETIAS mean and how long is it valid?
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. The application should be valid for three years. Like an ESTA document, ETIAS is linked to the travel document. If the travel document loses its validity before three years have elapsed, the ETIAS is no longer valid. Travellers must be aware that the passport can expire for various reasons. Most passports are automatically valid for ten years. If the applicant marries within the validity period, he/she will need new identification documents. An ETIAS issued on the old passport is then no longer valid. This also applies to changes of name or nationality.
The applicant can enter the country for a maximum of 90 days. This is possible several times. After 180 days, re-entry is possible.
The passport is very important for ETIAS. Therefore, the applicant must be careful when filling in the application. Only a small mistake will invalidate the ETIAS and lead to the tourist being turned away at the border.
How to fill in an ETIAS application
An ETIAS application can only be completed if the applicant belongs to one of the current 62 participating countries. A functioning internet connection, an e-mail connection and a valid passport are required. If this passport expires soon, it may be worthwhile having a new one issued.
It only takes a little time to fill it in, but the applicant should do so in a concerted effort. First of all, he or she enters the important personal data. These must correspond to the passport. This also applies to the passport number. Please do not make any mistakes here, otherwise the border official will refuse entry. Afterwards the tourist has to answer some questions about his health, possible previous convictions and the travel behaviour in the past.
The authorities do not rely on the applicant's word. The information is checked by some security banks. If the system does not find any abnormalities, the applicant will receive an e-mail with his approval after a short time.
Advantages and disadvantages of ETIAS
Advantages:
- The borders of the Schengen area are protected
- Fill out simple
- Fast and yet safe entry
Disadvantages:
- People with a low affinity for the Internet have problems filling out
- The application costs a fee
- Many personal questions
Frequently asked questions about ETIAS
Do I need an ETIAS application?
Travellers from countries that previously did not require a visa need to submit an ETIAS application.
When does ETIAS start in the Schengen area?
It was originally planned to start in 2021, but it is unclear whether this start can still be realised. Some publications mention the end of 2022.
Do I need a computer to fill in the application?
An ETIAS can only be applied for online. Ideally, a computer or a terminal with a large screen is required. On a mobile phone or a small tablet, errors can easily occur, which can lead to the worst case scenario.
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In order to facilitate the entry of citizens of certain countries, the member states of the Schengen area concluded a visa liberalisation agreement. This means that citizens of certain states could enter the Schengen area without a visa for 90 days. If there was no agreement between a state, the traveller needed a Schengen visa for the stay. This allowed the traveller to stay within the Schengen area for up to 90 days. A national visa was required for a longer stay.
These regulations will change in the near future. Similar to the USA with ESTA, the Schengen area introduces an entry permit called ETIAS. There are conflicting information about the exact starting date. Some speak of the beginning of 2021, other sources give the end of 2022.
ETIAS enables secure, visa-free travel within the Schengen area
For the 62 countries that have so far been able to enter the Schengen area without a visa, this means a great saving of time and money. They do not have to make an expensive application at the consulate, do not have to undergo an interview or provide information about their personal situation. This procedure, however, involves some dangers. It is not possible to prevent people from entering the Schengen area with unfair intentions. In recent years, there have been repeated and devastating attacks in the major European cities. In order to make the Schengen area more secure, the member states could also introduce a visa requirement for the 62 countries mentioned. However, these are safe third countries from which no major terrorist threat emanates. ETIAS is a good compromise. The application is completed within a short time. The Member States know the most important basic data of the traveller and can estimate the potential danger.
What does ETIAS mean and how long is it valid?
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. The application should be valid for three years. Like an ESTA document, ETIAS is linked to the travel document. If the travel document loses its validity before three years have elapsed, the ETIAS is no longer valid. Travellers must be aware that the passport can expire for various reasons. Most passports are automatically valid for ten years. If the applicant marries within the validity period, he/she will need new identification documents. An ETIAS issued on the old passport is then no longer valid. This also applies to changes of name or nationality.
The applicant can enter the country for a maximum of 90 days. This is possible several times. After 180 days, re-entry is possible.
The passport is very important for ETIAS. Therefore, the applicant must be careful when filling in the application. Only a small mistake will invalidate the ETIAS and lead to the tourist being turned away at the border.
How to fill in an ETIAS application
An ETIAS application can only be completed if the applicant belongs to one of the current 62 participating countries. A functioning internet connection, an e-mail connection and a valid passport are required. If this passport expires soon, it may be worthwhile having a new one issued.
It only takes a little time to fill it in, but the applicant should do so in a concerted effort. First of all, he or she enters the important personal data. These must correspond to the passport. This also applies to the passport number. Please do not make any mistakes here, otherwise the border official will refuse entry. Afterwards the tourist has to answer some questions about his health, possible previous convictions and the travel behaviour in the past.
The authorities do not rely on the applicant's word. The information is checked by some security banks. If the system does not find any abnormalities, the applicant will receive an e-mail with his approval after a short time.
Advantages and disadvantages of ETIAS
Advantages:
- The borders of the Schengen area are protected
- Fill out simple
- Fast and yet safe entry
Disadvantages:
- People with a low affinity for the Internet have problems filling out
- The application costs a fee
- Many personal questions
Frequently asked questions about ETIAS
Do I need an ETIAS application?
Travellers from countries that previously did not require a visa need to submit an ETIAS application.
When does ETIAS start in the Schengen area?
It was originally planned to start in 2021, but it is unclear whether this start can still be realised. Some publications mention the end of 2022.
Do I need a computer to fill in the application?
An ETIAS can only be applied for online. Ideally, a computer or a terminal with a large screen is required. On a mobile phone or a small tablet, errors can easily occur, which can lead to the worst case scenario.