ETIAS – the light version of Schengen visa

ETIAS or the European Travel Information and Authorisation System is required for citizens who enjoy visa-free entry to the 30 European countries, participating in ETIAS. While ETIAS is not a visa by itself, it has many of the characteristic of a such. Pretty much like a regular visa, the authorisation is attached to the traveller’s passport. It will be valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. When a new passport is issued, a new ETIAS authorisation will be required.

Visa-free travel for non-EU citizens to the European Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland will never be the same again.Posolstvo.eu

The ETIAS countries

The 30 ETIAS countries are shown in the table below:

AustriaDenmarkHungaryLuxembourgRomania
BelgiumEstoniaIceland (non EU)MaltaSlovakia
BulgariaFinlandItalyNetherlandsSlovenia
CroatiaFranceLatviaNorway (non EU)Spain
CyprusGermanyLiechtenstein (non EU)PolandSweden
Czech RepublicGreeceLithuaniaPortugalSwitzerland (non EU)

What is ETIAS exactly?

In short, citizens of countries who can travel visa-free to the EU will now need to apply for ETIAS. The ETIAS application will need to be done in advance. Many travellers are already calling ETIAS – the light Schengen visa. While ETIAS is not a visa by itself of course, it will definitely make travel to the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland more complicated. Pretty much like with a normal visa, everyone from the “visa-free” non-EU citizens will need to apply for ETIAS in advance, in order to travel to the ETIAS countries.

Who will need ETIAS?

Visa-free countries

Starting in 2025, about 1,4 billion people from more than 60 visa-exepmt countries will need to have ETIAS. This only applies for short-term visa-free stays. Bulgarian residence permit holders, from whichever country they are, will not need ETIAS.

Visa-required countries

Citizens of visa-required countries may also need ETIAS prior to visiting the 30 ETIAS countries. In such case, these citizens can travel without a visa, if they hold valid ETIAS. This only applies to students, travelling together and accompanied by a school teacher.

Refugees and stateless persons, in certain situations, may also require ETIAS.

Who does NOT need an ETIAS?

  • Obviously, ETIAS is not required from citizens of the 30 ETIAS countries;
  • Citizens from these visa-required countries will also not need ETIAS, as they should hold valid European visa;
  • Citizens of the United Kingdom who are a beneficiary of the EU Withdrawal Agreement. They must well be in possession of a valid European document, proving their status;
  • Citizens of Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, the Vatican City and Ireland;
  • Refugees and stateless persons, under specific conditions;
  • A residence permit holders, issued by any ETIAS country (ie Bulgarian residence permit holders);
  • Holders of uniform visas and of national long-stay visas;
  • Holders of local border traffic permits, under certain conditions;
  • Diplomatic, service or special passport holders;
  • NATO and some other military servicemen;
  • Holders of a travel document issued by intergovernmental international organisation provided for in Part 3 of Decision No 1105/2011/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council;
  • Intra-corporate transferees, students or a researcher exercising their mobility rights in accordance with certain EU directives;
  • Certain crew members.

If you have questions about ETIAS and your travel to Bulgaria and the EU

If you have any questions about ETIAS, we urge you to contact us immediately. While ETIAS is not a visa per-se, failing to obtain it will prevent you from travelling to the 30 ETIAS countries.