59 COUNRIES NEED ETIAS
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES REQUIRING ETIAS
ETIAS will be required for travel to all Schengen Area countries, including Cyprus, which is currently in the process of joining the zone. EU citizens traveling within the Schengen Area may do so using a national ID card or passport and are not subject to standard border controls at mutual borders.
IMPORTANT: Special conditions currently apply to Ukrainian citizens. The information on this page is not currently applicable to displaced Ukrainians residing within EU member states.
COUNTRIES IN EUROPE THAT WILL REQUIRE ETIAS
WHAT IS ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. Its primary objective is to identify potential security threats or risks posed by visitors traveling to any country within the Schengen Area. ETIAS serves to safeguard and fortify Europe’s borders.
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An ETIAS travel authorisation will be a mandatory requirement for entering a Schengen member state via air, land, or sea. Starting from 2026, visitors who currently enjoy visa-free access to Europe will be required to register with ETIAS. Consequently, ETIAS will become a compulsory entry requirement.
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Non-EU visa-exempt citizens must apply for an ETIAS waiver when visiting the Schengen Area. It should be noted that there are no internal borders between Schengen member states.
ETIAS IS AN ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATION, NOT A VISA
ETIAS is a travel permit for non-EU citizens who do not require a visa for the Schengen Area; it is not a European visa. Citizens from over 50 non-European countries are exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 90 days.
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The ETIAS waiver was developed to allow travelers from these countries to maintain their visa-exempt status while simultaneously enhancing border management and security across Europe. Visa-exempt visitors will soon be required to register for this new electronic authorization, also known as a visa waiver, to cross an external Schengen border.
ETIAS
ETIAS Information and Guidelines
NB: Prior to submitting an ETIAS application, it is imperative to verify your status and/or criminal record through the SIRENE Bureau within the Schengen Information System (SIS). This check is essential to mitigate the risk of an ETIAS refusal due to name duplication or data conflicts with other individuals. We are fully prepared to provide comprehensive assistance throughout this process.
HOW ETIAS WORKS
ETIAS operates by screening third-country travelers arriving in the Schengen Area. To protect against potential threats and ensure the integrity of external borders, data is collected and evaluated prior to the traveler’s departure for Europe.
WHICH SECURITY DATABASES DOES ETIAS CONSULT?
Information submitted via the ETIAS application is automatically cross-referenced against several criminal, travel, and information databases, including:
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Schengen Information System (SIS)
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Visa Information System (VIS)
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ETIAS Watchlist
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Eurodac
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Entry/Exit System (EES)
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Europol
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European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS)
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eu-LISA
If a "hit" or alert is triggered in any of these systems, the application is manually reviewed by the responsible ETIAS National Unit. An interview may be required in fewer than 0.1% of cases, following which the application is either approved or rejected.
COUNTRIES WHOSE CITIZENS REQUIRE ETIAS FOR EUROPE
There are more than 50 eligible countries whose citizens must submit an online ETIAS application. While these individuals may travel to Europe without a visa, the ETIAS system serves as a pre-screening mechanism before they board their transport. All information provided in the application will be meticulously reviewed and cross-referenced against security databases.
The ETIAS visa waiver will be valid for short-term stays for both business and leisure purposes. It may also be used for educational purposes for up to 90 days. Individuals wishing to stay long-term or seek employment in Europe must apply for the appropriate visa.
Once approved, an ETIAS remains valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever occurs first. The EU has introduced ETIAS to bolster security within the Schengen Area, ensuring that visa-free travelers undergo a security screening prior to their arrival.
Travel regulations for most European countries have evolved. From the final quarter of 2026, approximately 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories will be required to hold a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for short-term stays.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE ETIAS REGULATION
The European Union has established several key principles for the system. ETIAS is designed to be:
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Accessible: Applicants will pay a reasonable, one-time fee via credit or debit card to submit the online application.
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Fast and Simple: Completing the application should take no longer than 10 minutes, with automatic approval granted in over 95% of cases.
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Efficient: All provided data will be verified against multiple EU systems, including Europol and Interpol.
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Transparent and Fair: In the event of a refusal, the applicant must be notified of the decision within 96 hours. Furthermore, applicants always retain the right to appeal a rejection.
HOW TO APPLY FOR ETIAS ON BEHALF OF OTHERS
It is possible to apply for ETIAS on behalf of another traveler. The traveler and the person submitting the application must sign a declaration authorizing them to make the request.
Travelers and third parties must keep a signed copy of this document.
CAN WE APPLY FOR ETIAS AS A GROUP OR AS A FAMILY?
It is not possible to apply for ETIAS as a group or to include family members in the application. Every traveler in a group or family must submit a separate application — ETIAS is linked to the individual passport.
CAN I APPLY FOR ETIAS WITH ETIASVISA.COM?
No, you cannot apply for ETIAS with etiasvisa.com. This is an informative site created to help travelers prepare for the upcoming entry requirement. This site is not operated by the European Union and is not affiliated with it.
You can apply for ETIAS starting in 2026.
ETIAS APPLICATION FORM - PAYMENT
Once the ETIAS form is completed, the applicant must pay the ETIAS fee to finish the registration process. Debit and credit cards and other online payment methods will be accepted.
The payment will be managed by a bank or a financial intermediary.
Payment information will only be provided to the company executing the financial transaction. This data is not processed or saved by ETIAS after the transaction.
Once the payment is received, the ETIAS application is automatically submitted and reviewed.
NB Before applying for ETIAS, it is very important to check your status / file and / or criminal record / with the SIRENE bureau at SIS. The check is necessary to avoid a refusal to issue ETIAS in the event of duplication of names or data with other persons, for which we will provide you with full assistance.
REJECTION OF AN ETIAS APPLICATION FORM AND APPEALS
Travelers must answer all security questions honestly. If the system receives an alert or flag, the ETIAS application will be reviewed manually and individually assessed. If the application is denied, additional documents may be requested from the applicant. The traveler will have 96 hours to provide them, and the national authority of the respective Schengen member state will have four weeks to make a decision. In case of refusal, the applicant has the right to appeal.
SECURITY QUESTIONS ON THE ETIAS APPLICATION FORM
To make Europe even safer for residents and visitors, visa-exempt visitors will have to provide security information. ETIAS applicants may be asked questions about:
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Criminal records
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Travel to conflict zones
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Previous trips to Europe
This information is checked against Schengen security systems. Applicants with a minor criminal record for past offenses can still obtain an ETIAS, as long as they are not considered a threat to European security. Anyone considered a high epidemic or security risk will not be able to travel to Europe with ETIAS.
Thanks to ETIAS, all third-country visitors will be pre-screened for security risks, not just those requiring a visa. This will strengthen Schengen borders and improve safety.
APPLYING FOR ETIAS IF YOU DON'T HAVE CONFIRMED TRAVEL PLANS
If you do not have confirmed travel plans, you can still apply for ETIAS. You must first indicate which European country you will enter, but once you receive authorization, you can travel to any of the ETIAS countries.
DO BRITISH CITIZENS NEED TO COMPLETE THE ETIAS APPLICATION FORM?
British citizens will need to apply for ETIAS. British passport holders are no longer EU citizens, and freedom of movement does not apply. British citizens are subject to the same European entry conditions as other third-country nationals.
"ETIAS will apply to all current and future visa-exempt third countries. It does not single out any country or region..." said Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Home Affairs.
UK citizens benefiting from the Withdrawal Agreement are exempt from the ETIAS application requirement.
VISA-EXEMPT TRAVELERS MUST COMPLETE THE ETIAS APPLICATION FORM
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ETIAS is not a visa, but an electronic travel authorization, also known as a visa waiver. Non-EU citizens from visa-exempt countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States, will have to apply.
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International carriers (airlines, buses, and sea carriers) will check if passengers have a valid ETIAS before boarding. It will also be checked at the external Schengen border.
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With ETIAS, eligible travelers can visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism, business, or short-term study. To stay for more than 3 months or for other purposes, a visa application must be submitted.
ETIAS VISA WAIVER FORM FOR EUROPE
The ETIAS application form will be online and quick to complete. Over 95% of ETIAS applications will be approved almost immediately. The ETIAS travel authorization will be valid for 3 consecutive years and multiple short stays in Europe.
The ETIAS registration process will be similar to other travel authorization systems worldwide. Basic personal and passport details will be required, and fingerprints and other biometric data will not be collected.
International databases, including Interpol and Europol and the Schengen Information System, will be involved in cross-checking the data.
ETIAS REGISTRATION FORM
Travelers from visa-exempt third countries will need to complete the ETIAS registration form to travel to Europe. The European Parliament adopted the ETIAS regulation on July 5, 2018. Since then, EU-LISA and European authorities have been developing the new travel authorization system.
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The information provided in the ETIAS application form will be checked against security databases. Anyone posing a security risk can be detected and prevented from traveling to Europe. The European Travel Information and Authorization System will improve border management and make the Schengen area even safer.
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ETIAS registration is expected to be available from October 2026.
Final Recommendation
Yes, you may still apply for ETIAS with a criminal record. Minor convictions are unlikely to result in a refusal. If you have a more serious record, you should still apply, though you must be prepared for a potential denial. If concerns persist, it is advisable to consult the embassy or consulate of the country you intend to visit.
N.B. Prior to submitting an ETIAS application, it is highly recommended to verify your status and/or criminal record through the SIRENE Bureau at the SIS. This check is essential to avoid potential denials resulting from "identity twinning" or data duplication with other individuals. We are available to provide full assistance throughout this verification process.
Will I be questioned about my criminal record at the Schengen border?
Although policies may vary between individual nations, travelers are generally not questioned about their criminal history at the external Schengen borders. This becomes even less likely with the introduction of ETIAS, as security vetting is conducted prior to departure. However, should European border authorities request security information, you are legally obligated to provide accurate and truthful responses.
How does a criminal record affect my ETIAS application?
Pursuant to Article 4 of the ETIAS Regulation, one of the system’s core objectives is to "contribute to the prevention, detection, and investigation of terrorist offences and other serious criminal offences." This is achieved by identifying potential security risks before they reach European soil. Personal and passport data provided in the application are automatically cross-referenced against international security databases.
Will ETIAS be denied if I have a criminal record?
If a "hit" or alert is triggered in any security database, your application will undergo manual processing. A criminal conviction may generate an alert, but this does not constitute an automatic rejection. The application is forwarded to the ETIAS National Unit responsible for the procedure. You may be requested to provide supplementary documentation or, in rare instances, attend an interview.
Each case is assessed on its individual merits. You are still eligible to apply, as the decision hinges on:
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The type of offence committed.
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The recency of the crime.
ETIAS will be refused only if the applicant is deemed a present threat to European security.
Interoperability of Systems
ETIAS and ECRIS-TCN are managed by eu-LISA. Six key systems will achieve interoperability:
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EES (Entry/Exit System)
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ETIAS
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ECRIS-TCN
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SIS (Schengen Information System)
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VIS (Visa Information System)
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e-CODEX
The integration of these systems ensures a more robust defense against criminal activity across Europe.
The ETIAS Watchlist and Suspected Offences
To uphold European public safety, ETIAS also considers individuals suspected of involvement in serious crimes, such as terrorism, human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and organised crime. In such cases, travel may be restricted even in the absence of a formal conviction. Names are added to the ETIAS Watchlist only when there are reasonable grounds for suspicion.
Data Sharing: ECRIS and ECRIS-TCN
The European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) facilitates the exchange of criminal record data for EU citizens. This framework is being extended to non-EU citizens (Third-Country Nationals) via ECRIS-TCN. This allows EU member states to efficiently identify which other member state holds criminal record information on a specific individual, regardless of where the conviction occurred.
Travelling to Europe with a Criminal Record: ETIAS Guidelines
Travelers with a criminal history may harbour concerns regarding how the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will impact their eligibility to visit Europe. It is important to note that a criminal record does not automatically preclude you from travelling to Europe, even following the full implementation of ETIAS.
The primary objective of this new travel authorisation system is to prevent serious cross-border crime. Whether an ETIAS application is approved for an individual with a criminal background depends on several factors, most notably the nature and severity of the offence.
Can I travel to Europe with a criminal record?
If you have a minor criminal record, you will generally still be permitted to travel to Europe. While stringent regulations apply to foreign visitors with serious convictions, entry may be granted to those with less significant offences, particularly if a substantial period has elapsed since the conviction.
Examples of minor offences include petty theft, trespassing, or minor traffic violations. In broad terms, European admission policies remain less restrictive than those of North America.
What about travelling with a serious criminal record?
While minor infractions are unlikely to impede your travel plans, more severe offences may present significant obstacles. From 2026 onwards, all applicants must undergo the ETIAS screening process.
If a traveler is deemed a threat to the security of the Schengen Area based on a serious criminal history, their ETIAS will be denied. Without an approved ETIAS, travel to Europe is not permitted. Further details regarding ETIAS and serious crimes are outlined below.