All You Need To Know About ETIAS
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an initiative to ensure the safety of EU member countries and make travel to the Schengen Area easier for citizens of over 50 eligible countries.
Understanding the latest Spain travel rules is paramount to ensuring a hassle-free holiday for you and your family
Once ETIAS takes effect, the travel requirements will change from the current laws regarding entering Spain from countries outside the EU.
The online application process is simple and straightforward. All applicants must obtain an ETIAS visa waiver before entering any of the Schengen countries.
The ETIAS visa waiver will also soon be available to citizens of Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania, who will be joining the Schengen Area in the near future.
** Important Notice ** The EU Commission has announced that the new ETIAS system should come into effect in the last quarter of 2026, although no fixed date has been set.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is not a visa as you know it but a visa waiver permit or travel authorisation for all current visa-free countries.
The new ETIAS visa waiver scheme is a new initiative from the EU to strengthen the security of the Schengen Zone borders.
It is designed to streamline the process of citizens of the United Kingdom entering the Schengen Area and all those from outside the EU.
The authorization is valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
It is important to note that you will still be subject to the immigration rules of each EU country you plan to visit.
Why is the ETIAS Visa Waiver system a good idea?
The new European Travel Information and Authorisation System is undoubtedly a great idea because it helps to ensure safe, secure, and smooth travel to Spain and the rest of Europe.
The system will help identify potential security threats before they arrive at Europe's borders and provide essential information about travellers, such as their health, security, and financial background.
This will allow border control agents to make informed decisions about who is allowed to enter the European Union.
It will also help streamline the process for travellers, making planning and preparing for their European trip easier.
Overall, ETIAS will help make Europe safer and better for travellers while providing a more efficient way to manage travellers arriving in Spain.
ETIAS requirements for UK citizens
Currently, UK citizens are not required to have prior approval or a visa to visit Spain or other EU countries. This, however, will change when the new ETIAS visa waiver systems take effect.
UK citizens can apply online for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to travel to the Schengen area.
ETIAS is a visa waiver system that allows UK citizens to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 days.
To be eligible for ETIAS, UK citizens must have a valid passport for at least 3 months after their planned departure date from the Schengen area.
They must also have a valid debit or credit card to pay the ETIAS fee. Before applying, you will need to answer a few security-related questions.
These exact requirements will be applied to all eligible nationalities looking to enter the EU.
Applying for an ETIAS visa waiver
- Over 40 countries will require an ETIAS VISA
- The start date for ETIAS is in late 2026 (to be confirmed)
- The cost is € 7 per person.
- It is FREE for persons under 18 and over 70
- It takes approximately 1 hour for issuance once applied for.
- An ETIAS VISA will last 3 years.
To apply for an ETIAS, you should use the official EU ETIAS application website. Once the application system is open, there will also be a mobile app.
Applications will be available entirely online, and all information you provide should be accurate and correct; failure to do so could result in unnecessary delays or outright rejection of your application.
The process will take around 10 minutes. Once complete, you will receive the confirmation and authority to enter the EU within a short time.
The application cost is proposed to be €7 per person over 18; you will need the following items to apply for ETIAS.
- A valid passport from an approved Etias country
- A credit/debit card is used to pay for the ETIAS application.
- An active email address.
Please note that for Spain travel requirements, your passport should be valid for at least three months before your intended departure.
For the ETIAS application, you will need to provide accurate information about you and your travel plans, including:
- Full name, place, date of birth, and gender.
- Full contact details include your current address, email address, and phone number.
- Full passport details, date and place of issue, and your country of residence.
- Your travel plans include which countries you plan to visit within the EU.
There will also be a few questions relating to health and security.
It is thought there will be around a 95% acceptance rate once the online application goes live.
If your ETIAS application is rejected, you will receive an email explaining why and how to appeal the decision.
Once your application is approved, it will be valid for three years and for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
Be wary of third-party websites offering an ETIAS application service. To apply for an ETIAS, use the office EU dedicated website here:https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
Countries that will be using the new ETIAS system
These are the countries that will use the new ETIAS system when it takes effect during the last quarter of 2026.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
ETIAS will also be required if you plan to visit the following micro-states of:
- Andorra
- Monaco
- San Merino
- Vatican City
ETIAS Eligible Countries
There are currently around 50 eligible nationalities that will be able to apply for ETIAS:
- Albania
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Macao
- North Macedonia
- Malaysia
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent
- Samoa
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Timor Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
The Schengen Area
26 countries form part of the Schengen area.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Poland
- Portugal
Possible Future Members Include:
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Romania