ETIAS Application Guidelines: Instructions for Applying for ETIAS

Tourists and visitors from countries with visa-free access to the Schengen Area will have to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), an online travel authorization.

The application procedure for ETIAS is pretty quick and simple, so the whole process will only take a few minutes to complete. The ETIAS application is performed online through the designated online platforms and verified by the ETIAS Central System.

Where to Apply for ETIAS?

The ETIAS application process can be completed online on the dedicated official website or the app for mobile devices. The official website and mobile device app will enable you to submit the authorization request, provide the required data, and pay the application fee.

The platforms will be available in all the official languages of the Member States and will provide detailed information on how to apply and what data you should provide.

*Each applicant must submit a completed registration form with a declaration of the provided data’s authenticity, completeness, and correctness.

How Early Can You Apply for ETIAS?

It is expected that you will be able to apply for ETIAS a significant amount of time before your intended travel date. This timeframe has not been officially confirmed yet, but based on similar systems in other countries, it could be several months in advance.

How to Apply for an ETIAS?

The application process for an ETIAS includes four simple steps:

1. Complete the ETIAS online application form.
2. Pay the ETIAS fee.
3. The ETIAS entry is run through different security and information databases.
4. Receive your ETIAS.

Complete the ETIAS Online Application Form

Each applicant must submit a fully completed application form with the required information. In addition, the submission form must include a declaration stating that the data and statements you have submitted and made are authentic, complete, correct, and reliable.

The ETIAS submission form will require you to provide personal information such as your full name, country, date of birth, nationality, etc.

Pay the ETIAS Fee

After completing the ETIAS registration form, you must pay a fee of €20, covering your application fee and other services. You can pay the fee online via a valid debit or credit card.

The ETIAS Registration Goes Through Various Databases

Your ETIAS inquiry will be verified based on the information you provided. Your information will be checked for accuracy, sincerity, correctness, and reliability during this process. If the system reports any hits, your application will get rejected. Thus, giving honest and correct information is crucial during the registration process.

Receive Your ETIAS

Once the system reports that there are no factual indications or reasons that your presence on the territory of the Member State poses security, illegal immigration, or high epidemic risk, the ETIAS Central System will issue your travel authorization. You will receive your confirmation via email.

Information Required When Filing the Online Application for ETIAS

When applying for an ETIAS, you will be required to provide the following personal information:

• First name.
• Other names you have used an alias(s), artistic name(s), and usual name(s), if applicable.
• Surname or family name.
• Maiden name (if applicable).
• Date of birth.
• Place of birth.
• Country of birth.
• Gender.
• Nationality.
• Parents’ first names.
• Parents’ country of birth.
• Other nationalities (if applicable).
• Type, number, and country of issue of your passport or travel document.
• Issue and expiration date of your passport.
• Your current address, if applicable, if not your current city or country of residence.
• Email address and phone number.
• Education from primary school to higher education (if applicable).
• Current occupation*
• Name of the first Schengen country you will enter.
• Address where you will stay in your first Schengen country (if applicable).
• If you are a family member of a third-country national who is exempt from the visa requirements:
  • Your family member’s status in the EU.
  • Your family member’s personal information, such as name, current address, city or country of residence, etc.
  • Proof of your family ties.
• If someone else is filling out the application form on your behalf, they must provide:
  • Their personal information, i.e., name, surname, address, name of firm/organisation if applicable, contact details, their relationship to you, and a signed representation declaration.
• For minors, include the following information:
  • First name(s).
  • Surname
  • Home address.
  • Email address.
  • Phone number of the parent or legal guardian (if applicable).
• Criminal record. You need to answer questions regarding your criminal history and whether you have been convicted of any criminal offence in the previous 10 years. In the case of terrorist offences, you need to answer questions regarding your criminal history in the last 20 years and, if so, which country you committed the offence.
• Stays in war zones. You need to specify whether you have stayed in a war zone or in a conflict area over the past 10 years and what was the reason for your presence there.
• Previous deportations. You need to answer questions regarding previous deportations from a Schengen member country or if you were required to leave a country in the Schengen area. In addition, you need to state which country and what was the reason for your dismissal.

*If your application request goes through a secondary processing part due to security alerts, you may be required to submit additional information regarding your employer, details regarding your job title, and for students, details of their education provider.

Any ETIAS application can be denied in cases where there are reasonable and serious doubts about the authenticity of the information given and the supporting documents submitted by the person applying. If you ETIAS application is denied, you can appeal against the decision.

Will I Have to Upload Any Documents to Apply for ETIAS?

You won’t be required to upload documents or add attachments; you simply need to put down the information required in the form and as displayed on your passport. However, if your application is processed manually due to any possible alerts, you may be contacted for additional information and documents.

What Documents Do I Need to Have When Applying for ETIAS?

If you’re eligible for ETIAS, you need to collect the following required documents before you initiate your application:

• Valid passport. The most important document for your ETIAS application is your passport. As such, you must ensure that your passport:
  • Is valid for at least three months after your departure date from the Schengen area.
  • Must have a machine-readable section on the same page as your biometric data.
  • It would also be advantageous if your passport contained an electronic passport page — but this is not a requirement and won’t affect your application.
• Valid email address. The system will use this email address to keep you up-to-date regarding the status of your application, changes to your application, and changes to your ETIAS registration, or to request further information. Additionally, you will be alerted when your current ETIAS is about to expire via email. So, please make sure you put down a valid active email address; if you don’t have one, you can open a new email in a matter of minutes before you begin your application.
• Additional contact information. In addition to your email address, you need to provide other contact details that include:
  • A backup email address.
  • Your telephone number and a backup number.
  • Current address and personal information.
• Travel details/itinerary. provide information about the countries you plan on visiting, how long you intend to stay, your flight tickets, accommodation, and any other relevant information regarding your entry into Schengen
• Debit card for the ETIAS fee.

Who Will Need to Submit Extra Documents For ETIAS?

Upon the submission of an ETIAS application, some applicants might be asked to submit extra documents, as the ETIAS National Unit of the Member State responsible may deem the information provided by the applicant insufficient.

The applicant will receive the list of the additional documents he/she has to send through an e-mail.
The additional documents should be provided directly to the ETIAS National Unit of the Member State responsible through the secure account service within ten days of the date of receipt of the request.

How Long Does it Take to Complete an ETIAS Application?

As stated, the ETIAS application must take about 10 minutes to fill. After 10 minutes, you will receive a notification that your session has timed out, and you might be asked to start from the beginning. To avoid this, review the application carefully and save your information.

Do I Need to Print Out My ETIAS?

Your ETIAS approval will be sent to you via email and is stored electronically in the ETIAS database. As such, you do not need to print out your confirmation unless you want the extra security (e.g., in case your phone or tablet crashes).

How Long Does It Take to Receive an ETIAS After Applying?

It will only take a few minutes for your ETIAS registration to be processed automatically by the ETIAS Central System immediately after submission. Each application file will be examined individually.

If the ETIAS Central System finds no hits after verification of your application, you will be notified immediately about your travel authorization status (approved/rejected).

If the system reports one or several hits, the ETIAS National Unit of the Member State will process the application manually. In this case, the procedure might take longer.

Do I Need to Attend an Interview for ETIAS?

As a rule, an interview is not required to obtain an ETIAS. Yet, very few applicants may have to attend in-person interviews for their ETIAS registration to be fully processed. This will happen when there are doubts regarding the information or documentation the applicant provides.

The ETIAS National Unit of the Member State might invite the applicant for an interview.

The applicant should be notified of the interview through the e-mail service within 72 hours of his/her submission of additional information or documents. The interview shall take place within ten days of the date of the invitation. The application shall be refused when the applicant fails to attend the interview.