Update

• We previously reported on the 2025 ETIAS launch and requirement to obtain approval prior to travelling to Europe.
• It was recently announced that due to additional technical issues, the new roll out for the required ETIAS system is the last quarter of 2026.
• This is now at least the third time the roll-out has been pushed out.
• The European Union (EU) is in the process of implementing an Entry/Exit Systems (EES) that is expected to become operational in October 2025:
  • The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be a new border management system that will hopefully modernize the EU’s management of their external borders.
  • It will identify those who overstay their visas and keep data on all entrants into the EU
  • The system will help address identity fraud by collecting biometric data.
• The ETIAS cannot take effect until six months AFTER the EES system is fully operational across all Schengen area borders (see full list below).
• The full roll-out of the EES system has been plagued by numerous technical issues including:
  • Technical challenges, including software glitches and data integration problems.
  • Data privacy concerns, including ensuring that ETIAS complies with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regulations.
  • Additional work on the security upgrades required to provide ongoing support to ETIAS.
• NOTE: ETIAS should not be confused with the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization (UK ETA) that is currently in effect:
  • The UK ETA is a travel authorization issued by the British government to travelers from countries who are exempt from obtaining a UK visa.
  • This is a mandatory requirement whereby the traveler must first obtain this authorization prior to travelling to the United Kingdom.
  • For more information regarding the UK ETA, you can visit their website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.

Overview

• All U.S. citizen (and non-European travelers) will need to plan ahead and obtain ETIAS approval prior to travelling to Europe.
• ETIAS to launch in October 2026 (as of now) impacting visa-exempt travelers to 30 European countries.
• Travelers from over 60 countries will now be required to complete this process in order to enter most European countries.
• Specifically applies to travelers who are citizens from countries who do not require a Schengen Visa.
• This process is similar to the U.S. ESTA program as it is a visa waiver (not a visa specifically).
• Even if you have previously travelled to Europe, as of 2025, this process must be completed prior to travel to Europe in addition to ensuring that your passport is valid.

What is ETIAS?

• ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System.
• Keeps track of all European travelers from countries who do not require visas to enter these 30 European countries including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden plus future Schengen countries such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania. The ETIAS system will also cover countries under the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland and European microstates with open borders including Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.
• Electronic system that conducts a detailed security check of each applicant and is linked to your passport (this means that you will need to complete this process again if you obtain a new passport).

How to Apply and Validity Details

• Log into https://etias.com/ to complete the application on mobile or desktop (starting in October 2026 (as of now) — exact roll out date not yet confirmed).
• You must hold a passport that does not expire in less than three months at the time of completing the ETIAS application.
• The fee is EUR 7, and the system provides a variety of payment options (NOTE: applicants under the age of 18 or over the age of 70 are exempt from this payment).
• The ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years or until your passport expires (whichever occurs first).
• The ETIAS authorization must be valid for the entire stay in Europe.
• The ETIAS system will provide all applicants notification of their “approved,” “refused,” or “manual processing” ETIAS status within 96 hours of application submission but most will receive notification within a few hours.
• The entire application should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Cozen O’Connor’s Analysis of ETIAS, What This Means to You and How Cozen O’Connor Can Help

• Plan accordingly and be sure to complete this process at least two weeks prior to your travel to Europe as there are currently no expedite options.
• You must ensure that your passport meets the requirements (does not expire in less than three months at the time of completing the ETIAS application).
• Those with a criminal record might not be automatically denied but may be subject to additional scrutiny and/or lengthier processing time. If this applies to you, make sure to plan ahead and ensure that you have all the related documentation.
• ETIAS has been delayed multiple times, but it appears that it will be rolled out in 2024 so all impacted travelers should plan accordingly.
• There is a possibility that for the first three to six months, ETIAS may not be mandatory to enable a smoother roll-out, but these details will most likely be provided by the end of 2023.
• Cozen O’Connor can assist with your application process and assessment of requirements especially in situations where multiple travelers are travelling from multiple locations.