In today’s article, we’ll break down the new ETIUS rules that take effect in 2024 and specifically how they will affect Canadians and Americans traveling to Europe.
Etius stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is designed to increase security and streamline travel for non-EU citizens. The new ETIUS rules affect citizens of nearly 60 countries, including Americans and Canadians, who plan to travel to Europe from January 2024, since travelers must apply for ETIUS authorization before their trip.
“Etius is not a visa, but rather a pre-approval that you need to apply for online before you travel. And to be honest, it’s been in effect for a few years now, and I don’t think it’s going to be that big of a deal; it probably won’t have much of an impact on the average European vacationer.”Â
Canadians and Americans currently enjoy visa-free entry to many European countries, particularly the Schengen zone. With this change, you will still be able to visit Europe and travel freely between Schengen countries.Â
You must first fill out an application online.
“The Schengen Zone is a group of 27 European countries that have agreed to implement common entry and exit requirements, thereby eliminating the need for internal borders.”
“In simpler terms, you can move between these countries without border checks or needing your passport every time you move from one country to another. So, traveling from country to country in the Schengen Zone is essentially like traveling from state to state in the US or from province to province in Canada. I’ve traveled around Europe as a Canadian in the Schengen Zone and for my neighbors in the US. It’s very convenient, as you can easily move from country to country.”
It totally blew my mind when I drove from Croatia to Italy and didn’t pass any immigration or border checks. I honestly thought we had found some border loophole, and it was only a matter of time until they caught us. If I hadn’t made it clear, they would never have caught us because we had done nothing wrong. Traveling from Croatia to Italy without crossing any border is a benefit of being part of the Schengen Zone, comprised of only two countries. If you’ve ever taken a European vacation and traveled to multiple European countries, let us know in the comments. Bonus points if you specify the particular countries!
Here’s what you need to know about the new ETIAS rules and how they will affect you if you plan to travel to Europe in 2024 and beyond. To obtain an ETIAS authorization, you must complete an online application. The process is expected to be straightforward and should only take a few minutes. You’ll need to provide personal details.Â
“Make sure you double and triple-check any details you provide before submitting the application, such as your full name, date of birth, and passport details. Just like with flight bookings, if you make a mistake and have to talk to a human being to correct it, it’s going to make the process much longer and more frustrating than it needs to be.”
These days, talking to a human makes anything a much longer process. It’s just that we don’t do anything else. So, you can expect to visit the Etias website, fill out a form with details about yourself, and then pay a small fee of around $8.
Remember that your passport must be valid for your entire stay in Europe, and ensure that it remains valid for a minimum of six months from your expected return date. It’s pretty standard for passports to expire at least six months before any international travel, so definitely double and triple-check it. Once your application is submitted, it will be cross-checked against various security databases. In most cases, you can expect to receive your ETIAS approval by email within minutes. However, certain applications may require additional processing time, so plan accordingly.Â
“I personally would do this application at the same time as I’m booking my flight so I can group the two things together and then not have to think about it. Once approved, your ETIAS authorization is valid for three years and allows you to enter all European countries in the Schengen Zone without the need for a visa. You will be allowed to travel freely to these countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. So whether it’s for business or leisure, you’ll be covered for multiple trips within that period. It is important to note that the ETIAS authorization is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If your passport expires before three years, you’ll only need to reapply for a new ETIAS authorization, which, as you’ve probably gathered from this video, isn’t going to be that big of a deal.”
Getting a new passport, on the other hand, is a different story. It’s best to apply early. International travel regulations are always changing, which can be quite stressful.
So hopefully, this article was helpful in alleviating some of your concerns about this new rule.
“My name is Akib, and I share travel tips and hacks every week on this website. I definitely hope you’ll consider subscribing to join us here for the next one. Bye!”
