European travel authorisation required from 2024

New rules establishing a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) have been on the way since 2016. The rules aim to have a smarter information system to strengthen the level of control and security at the borders.

The framework introducing the ETIAS travel authorisation was initially passed in 2018, but the implementation was delayed several times. It is now expected to be operational in 2024.

Who and where?

Travellers from visa-exempt countries will be required to have an ETIAS travel authorisation. This includes travellers from most of North and South America, other European countries, and some Asian countries.

30 European countries will require travellers to have an ETIAS travel authorisation. These include Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and all member states of the European Union except Ireland. For the whole list, see here.

You will therefore need an ETIAS travel authorisation if:

• You are not a European Union national
• You are a citizen in a country that is not required to have a visa for short-term stays in European countries requiring the ETIAS travel authorisation
• You are not already a resident in the countries requiring an ETIAS travel authorisation

The ETIAS travel authorisation will be mandatory for all kinds of travel, including:

• Tourism
• Business
• Transit
• Medical treatment

This means that the ETIAS travel authorisation is required regardless of the length of stay.

To obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation, travellers from the relevant countries must fill out an online application, at the cost of EUR 7, before traveling. The ETIAS travel authorisation will be sent to the applicant by email and will be electronically linked to their passport. The traveller’s ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for 90 days per 180-day period. Most applications are expected to be processed within minutes and latest, within 96 hours.

IUNO’s opinion

Companies with employees in the affected visa-exempt countries must be aware of the new ETIAS travel authorisation requirement if the employees travel to one of the 30 European countries.

IUNO recommends that companies already now start introducing the new rules to their employees. Companies could, for example, set up a system that employees can easily access to apply for ETIAS travel authorisations for business travel. The fast-processing times make it easier for companies to continue spontaneous business travels.

[Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 September 2018 establishing a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and amending Regulations (EU) No 1077/2011, (EU) No 515/2014, (EU) 2016/399, (EU) 2016/1624 and (EU) 2017/2226]