ETIAS: The New Electronic Travel Authorization for Europe
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Starting from 2025, travelers visiting European Union countries without a visa will need to obtain ETIAS, the new European travel information and authorization system. ETIAS is not a visa, but an electronic authorization linked to your passport, allowing you to enter and travel within the European Union and Schengen Area.
"Citizens of the EU and Schengen Area will be exempt from the new system, but holders of a non-EU and non-Schengen passport will soon need to request and receive ETIAS approval before traveling to Europe," according to the latest information.
Important: Do not confuse ETIAS with a Schengen visa! A Schengen visa is manually stamped in your passport and grants authorization to travel to the 27 member states. Unlike ETIAS, a Schengen visa is specific to the requested country and may not be valid for other Schengen Area countries.
On the other hand, ETIAS is valid for 3 years. The application process is entirely online and currently costs 7 euros. There are no fees for travelers under 18 or over 70 years old.