Did anyone else see an article about this. Visas will be required for travel to a number of EU countries. The visas can be applied for online $8 cost. Not sure if that is per trip or per country. This is something that will surely catch some folks off guard!
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Yes, I heard this the other day; it’s not a true visa, but more of an electronic authorization. Set to start in 2024, it’s definitely something to remember to do before traveling. Here’s the link to ETIAS:
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Yes, I read about this too. I doubt an airline will let a passenger board without making them aware of the visa.
My understanding is that they won’t able to travel to certain points without this visa.
It’s simply matching the US system of advance travel authorization (ESTA) that’s been in place since before the pandemic. One authorization should cover unlimited trips to the EU for 3 years (or until your passport expires).
The only differences seem to be that a) the processing time may be longer than the US system (which guarantees an answer in 48 hours but is typically only 30-60 minutes) and b) not all EU countries are ready for ETIAS and so some may not require it for travel next year.
Note: it’s not a “visa” as such, it’s for visa-exempt travel (typically tourism). If you need a visa (because of your country of origin or because you want to work/study) then you can’t use ETIAS.
Fortunately it’s per trip, not per country.
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No it’s once every three years, not per trip or per country.
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Quite a few clickbait headlines about this “visa”. Good for 3 yrs apply for online, pay the fee, answer a few questions–does NOT look like a big deal at all.
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Ohhh! I missed that!
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a) not a visa, but exactly the opposite. It’s a visa EXEMPTION application, where background checks are performed based on criminal records and security databases at the pan-European criminal justice institutions Europol and Interpol.
b) it’s not “per country”, but (essentially) for entering the entire, so-called Schengen area (the European countries that had abolished internal border controls), plus any other participating countries.
c) the fee will be € 7.00 and it will be valid for 3 years.
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I think we will just do this…and have it done.
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Also, keep in mind that the Republic of Ireland and, of course, the United Kingdom, are NOT part of the Schengen area.
Here are the covered countries, based on @DigitalDad 's link:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
These countries will require ETIAS approval to enter because they are passport-free zones. ETIAS approval of visa-free international travellers ensures they have been prescreened and deemed to pose no security risk.
There are also three other countries that are not part of the Schengen Area, yet will partcipate in the ETIAS. These are Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania.
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Never heard of that place –
must be from a previous decade. 
Seriously - thank you for pointing out those caveats. Indeed:
… correct - E.U. countries which have not yet eliminated border controls, but already participate in ETIAS.
… non-EU countries that joined the Schengen area to simplify travel from/to E.U.
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