25/02/2023
9 Things You Need to Know About ETIAS Before It Becomes Effective in November
By the end of this year, travellers from over 60 world countries, who currently can travel to the Schengen Area without a visa, will need to apply for a travel authorisation in order to be able to enter any of the Member States.
The launch of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which has been postponed several times now, is unlikely to be postponed another time.
This means that travellers should prepare to apply for an ETIAS authorisation starting from November 2023, in particular those who plan on travelling to the Schengen Zone in the last two months of the year, immediately after the launch of the system, in November and December.
While the EU has undertaken a few steps to inform citizens of third countries who will need an ETIAS in the future and several more are planned for the following months, regarding the system, application procedures, fees, and more, travellers still remain confused about how ETIAS is going to affect them, and what’s its purpose.
Incorrect media reporting and interpretations of the ETIAS, often done purposely, have caused confusion amongst travellers who for a few years now have tried to keep informed about the system, and the date it would become effective.
Based on the most frequent questions regarding ETIAS that we have received in the past by our readers, we have clarified below the top nine things one needs to know, before the system launches on November 1, 2023.