ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)

ETIAS is the European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is an automated electronic system that tracks and authorizes entry into the Schengen area for nationals of countries that do not require a visa to visit the area according to visa policy. Essentially, this system is similar to the electronic entry authorization for other countries. Work to implement ETIAS began in 2016 and it is planned that the system will be fully operational by 2025.

At the same time, efficient and modified external border management facilitates visa-free travel of third-country nationals to the external borders of the EU under the CES Regulation. Prior to travel, the ETIAS visa-free authorization is verified through a simple and usually fast application procedure. This ensures smoother and therefore faster border crossings at external border crossings. Countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia already use similar systems to facilitate visa-free travel abroad for EU citizens.

The ETIAS system is used at the entry borders of EU and Schengen countries.

• Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
• with some special regulations: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway (except Svalbard), Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Cyprus and Croatia, Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland.

• Contributing to the prevention of threats to public security and minimizing the risks of illegal immigration. Applications for travel authorization are examined prior to the arrival of visa-exempt third-country nationals at the external borders in accordance with the CES Regulation (crossing points).
• Promotion of public health for the possible prevention of diseases with a high epidemic risk in accordance with Article 3(1)(8) of the ETIAS Regulation.
• Prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist or other serious criminal offenses and correct identification of persons before the arrival of visa-exempt third-country nationals and not only when they are checked by border guards.
• Ensuring that the Schengen Information System (SIS) objectives set out in Article 4e of the ETIAS Regulation are met with regard to alerts on third-country nationals with a residence ban and missing persons.
• Securing entry and exit.

Citizens who are allowed to enter the Schengen area without a visa, in particular:

• Third-country nationals who are exempt from visa requirements and who
• planning a short-term stay in the Schengen area
• as well as third-country nationals who are exempt from the visa requirement and who
• are family members of EU citizens or family members of third-country nationals (in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC) who are guaranteed the right to freedom of movement comparable to that of EU citizens on the basis of an agreement between the EU and its Member States, on the one hand, and a third country, on the other,
• do not hold a residence card (in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC) or a residence permit (in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002).
• Students who are third-country nationals listed in Annex I and reside in one of the third countries listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 or in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, if they are part of a group of students and are accompanied by a teacher from the relevant institution during the trip.
• Persons with refugee status and stateless persons, if the third country in which they are staying and which issued their travel documents is listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.
• Members of armed forces traveling within the framework of NATO or the Partnership for Peace and holders of certificates and deployment orders in accordance with the Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Status of their Armed Forces of June 19, 1951.
• Holders of temporary residence permits, e.g. while an asylum application or an initial application for a residence permit under Article 2(16) of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 is being processed.
• Holders of visas issued by Member States in accordance with the harmonized format of Regulation (EU) No 1683/95. These are visas in accordance with Article 5 of that Regulation which constitute an authorization or decision issued by a Member State and which are required for entry into the territory of that State for the purpose of an
• intended stay in that State or in several States for a total duration of up to 90 days
• transit through the territory of that State

• Third-country nationals who are family members of Union citizens or third-country nationals entitled to freedom of movement and who, as family members, are in possession of a valid residence permit or a valid residence card within the meaning of other legislation, regardless of whether they accompany or join the person.
• Holders of a valid residence permit
• Holders of other documents issued by an EU Member State to a third-country national authorizing him/her to reside on its territory, provided that the documents have been transmitted and published in accordance with the relevant rules.
• Persons who present a valid local border traffic permit in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1931/2006 and the relevant regulations when crossing the border.
• Other persons to whom special entry regulations apply: Heads of state, passengers in border areas, crew members of airplanes and ships, passengers on cruise ships or pleasure boats.

• Basic personal data such as surname, first name, date of birth, maiden name (if applicable), other names, place of birth, gender, current nationality, country of birth and names of the applicant's parents. In the case of minors, information on the legal guardians is also required.
• Details of the ID card and the country in which it was issued.
• Contact information, including personal address, e-mail address and, if applicable, telephone number.
• Details of education and current job.
• Status of the applicant's relatives who are Union citizens and have the right to freedom of movement, and of third-country nationals who have the same right to freedom of movement. Information on the applicant's family ties must also be provided.

If the application is not made by a third-country national, the following information is required

• Details of the persons or organizations submitting the application on behalf of the person concerned
• Information on criminal convictions, residence in war or conflict zones and deportation/return decisions
• Information on the submission and progress of the application, including the IP address from which the application form was submitted, date and time of submission, application number and confirmation of travel authorization fee paid, payment reference number, information on the processing status of the application in the ETIAS Central System