The European Union is to introduce an automated system for registering people from outside the EU. People will need to be registered via the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) each time they enter and exit the EU. Here you will find the ETIAS explained.
Who needs the ETIAS?
If you are a non-EU citizen and you do not usually require a visa to travel to an EU country, you will have to apply for pre-travel authorisation. The requirement for the ETIAS will apply to non-EU citizens travelling into Europe, including UK citizens travelling in Spain.
The ETIAS and British Citizens
All British citizens will be required to apply for an ETIAS to enter most European countries. Its introduction is intended to screen travellers arriving from overseas by way of a response to the global increase in international terrorism.
The ETIAS will work with existing immigration databases to provide screening across Europe. UK citizens will be required to complete an ETIAS application prior to boarding any form of transport to Europe.
If you would like to stay in Europe for more than 90 days, or would like to do activities different to tourism or a short business trip, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa.
You should complete your ETIAS application 96 hours prior to their departure date, in order to allow for it to be fully processed. Applications will normally be processed and approved within minutes, and the authorisation is sent by email, although there is no need to print this off as the ETIAS is stored electronically against the passport details.
Expiry and fees
The authorisation granted by the ETIAS will last for three years before it needs to be renewed and will cost โฌ7 for people aged between 18 and 70. However, it will be free for people outside this age range. Applications will be made online and will be checked when you travel.
UK nationals and their family members who have the right to reside in the EU are exempt from needing authorisation from the ETIAS. This would apply if you have legal residency rights in Spain, though people who visit you from the UK would need authorisation from the ETIAS.
How to apply for an ETIAS
As the ETIAS has still not been introduced, it is not yet possible for you to apply to get one. However, once it has been introduced, you will be able to apply for an ETIAS from the dedicated ETIAS website.
When will the ETIAS be introduced?
The ETIAS was due to be introduced in November 2023, although delays have meant that the EU have postponed its introduction several times. The European Commission says that, in most cases, the authorisation will only take a few minutes to be issued.
As of September 2024, it has been announced that the ETIAS will be introduced at some point in Q2 2025.
However, November 2024 will see the introduction of a new Entry/Exit System which will be introduced across the EU. This essentially means there will be more border checks for non-EU nationals, such as British citizens.
If there are any further changes to the ETIAS and its introduction, we will keep you updated.
How we can help you
Whilst there is not much we can do to help you with the ETIAS, as it is only for short trips to EU countries, we can help you if you want to go to Spain for a longer period of time through the use of a Spanish visa.
Talk to a member of our friendly team by booking a free 10-minute assessment, which allows you to tell them what you need, and also lets them see how they might be able to help you. Once this initial step has been taken, we can then help you make your next steps towards getting a Spanish visa.
Get in touch with us today for our expert Spanish visa assistance.
