“ETAs have been in use in various countries for many years and are considered simple, easy, and cost-effective,” Cripps says, pointing to countries like Canada and Australia that have made use of ETAs for decades. “The system is designed to make travel to Europe safer and easier, and once up and running it will soon become just another part of the routine.”
How will ETIAS work?
When Europe’s new authorization system is eventually implemented, travelers with passports from visa-exempt countries will have to apply for ETIAS online prior to their arrival on the continent. This requirement will affect citizens from the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among dozens of other countries. Unlike traditional visas, the application process for ETIAS is relatively quick and easy—it’s also inexpensive, costing only €7 (about $8) for a three-year approval. All travelers will need to fill out an ETIAS application regardless of their age. However, children under 18 and adults over 70 years old can apply for free.
Travelers will simply fill out an online form with their basic biographical data and travel history. They’ll also respond to several security questions, and if everything checks out, they’ll receive approval via email within an hour. This will be the case for most travelers, although some may require additional security checks that prolong the process to up to 96 hours.
“The most important piece of advice I can give travelers is to make sure to apply for your ETIAS at least 96 hours before your flight departs,” Cripps says. “Airlines will likely require proof of an ETIAS in order to board your flight, and while most travelers are expected to receive their approval quickly, you don’t want any surprises before your big trip.”
Cripps also recommends that travelers set a reminder in their calendars ahead of when their three-year ETIAS approval expires to avoid future hiccups.
“I do not see [ETIAS] as a big deal considering I am from the US and have a lot of passport privilege,” says Sojourner White, a remote social worker and travel content creator who has previously lived in Europe and plans to travel back there in the near future. “We are just not used to having travel restrictions, so people are freaking out, but honestly paying $8 is so much cheaper than what other people have to pay in order to travel in Europe.”
She does, however, believe that the many delays are only going to further confuse travelers, especially when ETIAS is eventually implemented. “The constant rescheduling of the launch reminds me of the Real ID issues in the US. When you put out information prematurely people make plans with that information,” White says. “I foresee some problems, at least in the beginning, with people being confused as to what they need to do, especially if they are not seasoned travelers or it’s their first trip to Europe.”
Her best advice for newer travelers so they don’t get caught off-guard? “Be in tune with the US Department of State website. They have the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) that I recommend everybody sign up for, too, so that you can be notified of changes that may be happening as you are traveling.”
For Jody Bear, Condé Nast Traveler travel specialist and founder of Bear & Bear Travel, this is also a good time to remind travelers of some basic rules of thumb they should follow before packing their bags for Europe—or anywhere around the world.
“Be mindful of when your passport expires. [Typically] the expiration date must be at least six months beyond your return trip date,” she says. “As a general rule, you should always have at least two to four blank pages in your passport, but it can vary depending on the country you are visiting, so it is recommended you check your passport as far in advance as possible.”
