Travel-entry regulations in Europe are about to change - here's how

Anybody who has travelled to the US or Canada knows the drill. Before showing up at the airport to board your flight, you need to apply for and be granted an electronic travel authorisation or you won't be allowed on the plane. For travel to the US, it's known as an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and to Canada, it's an eTA (electronic Travel Authorization).

Now, for the first time, there are plans to introduce a similar system for entry to 30 European countries, including France, Italy and Greece. Known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), it was initially expected to start in 2021, then delayed again and again until 2024, reportedly due to continued delays with the related Entry/Exit System (EES). Last October, the EU announced a newly revised timeline, with the ETIAS pass system now expected to start in mid 2025.

When it's up and running, Australians (as well as nationals of dozens of other visa-exempt countries) will be required to apply online and pass a security check before they can enter any of the European countries in the Schengen zone, plus three (Romania, Cyprus and Bulgaria) that are currently in the process of joining. Australian travellers will not need an ETIAS for travel to European countries that are not taking part in the program, including Turkey.

"While the ETIAS will add another step for Aussies, at this stage we don't anticipate it will be a major barrier for travellers," says Sarah King of online travel booking giant Expedia. Applicants will be asked to provide passport details, personal information such as email address, phone number, their occupation, past criminal convictions and reason for travel. That information will be checked against international databases to determine eligibility to enter. The European Commission has stated the application process is intended to improve the identification of security risks, which in theory makes travel safer for everyone. Every ETIAS applicant will pay a 7 euro ($11.60) fee.

Authorisation will be valid for three years or until the expiration of the traveller's passport, whichever comes first. Travellers will be permitted entry to participating countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

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While it's anticipated most ETIAS applications will be approved within a few minutes, some might take longer, so applicants are encouraged to plan ahead before booking non-refundable flights or accommodation.

"The best way to navigate this new process is to start by checking the ETIAS guidelines via the official ETIAS app or the European Union website, where you can confirm if the countries you're visiting require a visa," says King. "We recommend applying well in advance for travel visas to any country in case there are unforeseen delays." travel-europe.europa.eu