ETIAS – European Travel Information Authorization System

Since October 2018, the European Travel Information Authorization System (“ETIAS”) has been developed and has a target launch date of January 2021.

Travelers from visa exempt countries will have to obtain an ETIAS prior to entering the Schengen area.

ETIAS’s purpose is to detect if a person is a threat in any way to the security of any Schengen country and deny entry.

There are approximately 60 countries whose citizens are permitted to enter the European Union and Schengen member countries without the need to obtain a visa.