15 January 2025
SUMMARY OF:
Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 establishing a European travel information and authorisation system
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATIONS?
Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and 2018/1241 aim to strengthen security checks on visa-exempt non-European Union (EU) nationals travelling to the Schengen area or Cyprus for a short stay (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). The regulations seek to contribute to:
a high level of security;
preventing illegal immigration;
protecting public health;
more effective border checks;
the objectives of the Schengen information system;
preventing, detaining and investigating terrorist offences or other serious crimes.
KEY POINTS
The European travel information and authorisation system (ETIAS) is an automated IT system created to identify any security, irregular migratory or epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen area or Cyprus while ensuring their fundamental rights and data protection.
It has been developed by the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA).
Application process
Non-EU nationals who do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen area are required to apply for a travel authorisation prior to their trip.
To apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation, travellers need to have a valid travel document, which should not expire in less than 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the EU Member States and must not be older than 10 years.
The ETIAS travel authorisation costs €7 and is valid for multiple entries over a period of 3 years or until the travel document used in the application expires.
Applications can be made via the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application.
Applicants must provide the following details:
name, date and place of birth, sex, nationality, address, email and phone number;
parents’ first names;
travel document details;
details about their level of education and current occupation;
the first intended country of destination;
past criminal convictions, visits to conflict zones and whether they have been the subject of a return decision.
A traveller may nominate a third party to apply on their behalf if both sign a declaration of representation. The traveller’s email details must be provided to allow ETIAS authorities to communicate with them in relation to their application.
The vast majority of applications will be processed within minutes, or within 96 hours at the latest. However, in exceptional cases, applicants may need to provide additional information or documentation or attend an interview – a process taking up to 30 days.
After the application is completed, the system will conduct checks against various EU databases, such as the Schengen information system, the visa information system, the entry/exit system and European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) data. Amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1134 and 2021/1152 ensure the databases’ interoperability with ETIAS.
Exceptions
The following categories of individuals do not need an ETIAS travel authorisation:
nationals of European countries requiring ETIAS, or of Andorra, the Holy See, Ireland, Monaco or San Marino;
refugees, stateless persons or persons not holding the nationality of any country, if they reside in and hold a travel document issued by any of the European countries requiring ETIAS;
United Kingdom nationals and their family members who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement and reside in their EU host Member State and travel to other European countries requiring ETIAS, if they hold documents proving their status;
holders of residence permits or residence cards issued by any European country requiring ETIAS;
holders of uniform visas or national long-stay visas;
intra-corporate transferees, students or researchers exercising their right to mobility in line with Directives 2014/66/EU and (EU) 2016/801;
holders of local border traffic permits;
holders of diplomatic, service or special passports.
Revocation and refusal
The travel authorisation can be revoked, should the conditions for issuing it no longer be met, or annulled, if the conditions were not met at the time of issuance.
If the travel authorisation is refused, the applicant retains the right to appeal. Appeals are to be launched in the European country requiring ETIAS that took the decision on the application, in accordance with its national law.
When refused a travel authorisation, travellers can also apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited territorial validity, provided that they need to travel for humanitarian reasons or to fulfil important obligations. An ETIAS travel authorisation with limited territorial validity is valid for a maximum of 90 days and only for those European countries explicitly defined in the travel authorisation.
Transitional and grace period
A transitional period of at least 6 months is planned after ETIAS starts operations. Travellers should apply for their travel authorisation in this period, but those without one will not be denied entry if they fulfil the remaining entry conditions.
There is a grace period of at least 6 months envisaged after the end of the transitional period. During this time, travellers entering the territory of the European countries requiring ETIAS for the first time since the end of the transitional period will exceptionally be allowed in, provided they meet the remaining entry conditions.
Amending legislation
Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1356 adapts Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 to the introduction of the screening of non-EU nationals at the EU’s external borders and sets out the conditions for screening authorities to consult ETIAS data.
FROM WHEN DO THE REGULATIONS APPLY?
With the exception of certain articles of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240, which have applied since 9 October 2018, Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and 2018/1241, as amended, will apply from a date to be determined by the European Commission.
BACKGROUND
For further information, see:
Welcome to the official ETIAS website (European Union).
MAIN DOCUMENTS
Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 September 2018 establishing a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and amending Regulations (EU) No 1077/2011, (EU) No 515/2014, (EU) 2016/399, (EU) 2016/1624 and (EU) 2017/2226 (OJ L 236, 19.9.2018, pp. 1–71).
Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 September 2018 amending Regulation (EU) 2016/794 for the purpose of establishing a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) (OJ L 236, 19.9.2018, pp. 72–73).
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Regulation (EU) 2024/1349 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a return border procedure, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 (OJ L, 2024/1349, 22.5.2024).
Regulation (EU) 2024/1356 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 introducing the screening of third-country nationals at the external borders and amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EU) 2017/2226, (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/817 (OJ L, 2024/1356, 22.5.2024).
Regulation (EU) 2019/817 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2019 on establishing a framework for interoperability between EU information systems in the field of borders and visa and amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EU) 2016/399, (EU) 2017/2226, (EU) 2018/1240, (EU) 2018/1726 and (EU) 2018/1861 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Decisions 2004/512/EC and 2008/633/JHA (OJ L 135, 22.5.2019, pp. 27–84).
See consolidated version.
Regulation (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2019 on establishing a framework for interoperability between EU information systems in the field of police and judicial cooperation, asylum and migration and amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1726, (EU) 2018/1862 and (EU) 2019/816 (OJ L 135, 22.5.2019, pp. 85–135).
See consolidated version.
Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ C 384I, 12.11.2019, pp. 1–177).
Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 on the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA), and amending Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006 and Council Decision 2007/533/JHA and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1077/2011 (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, pp. 99–137).
See consolidated version.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1861 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 November 2018 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of border checks, and amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement, and amending and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006 (OJ L 312, 7.12.2018, pp. 14–55).
See consolidated version.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1862 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 November 2018 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, amending and repealing Council Decision 2007/533/JHA, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1986/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Decision 2010/261/EU (OJ L 312, 7.12.2018, pp. 56–106).
See consolidated version.
Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2017 establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data and refusal of entry data of third-country nationals crossing the external borders of the Member States and determining the conditions for access to the EES for law enforcement purposes, and amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement and Regulations (EC) No 767/2008 and (EU) No 1077/2011 (OJ L 327, 9.12.2017, pp. 20–82).
See consolidated version.
Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA, 2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JHA (OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, pp. 53–114).
See consolidated version.
Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au pairing (recast) (OJ L 132, 21.5.2016, pp. 21–57).
See consolidated version.
Directive 2014/66/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals in the framework of an intra-corporate transfer (OJ L 157, 27.5.2014, pp. 1–22).
Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 concerning the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on short-stay visas (VIS Regulation) (OJ L 218, 13.8.2008, pp. 60–81).
See consolidated version.
