Set to debut in May 2023. It's a minor annoyance and expense (about $7), but still:
*
The application process will be via a "largely automated IT system,"
with approval granted "within minutes," for an estimated 95% of
applicants, according to a new memo issued by the EU. The maximum time
needed for approval could be up to a month in "very exceptional
cases." Anyone whose application is denied will have the right to
appeal.
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It’s not a visa and it’s definitely not for Americans only.
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It’s very similar to the ESTA system that the US has in place since 2009.
More info here; https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/smart-borders/european-travel-information-authorisation-system_en
As above, it's not a visa, and will be the EU's version of the ESTA that has been required for some time for citizens of visa-waiver countries to visit the United States.
Just some previous threads on the subject:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/greece/etias-2c08c143-a64c-4f09-a328-a4a302842a71
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/etias
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/etias-visa-1c9fb160-a64f-4ae8-8a38-2f2a85f6f700
A part of this change will be a wide rollout of e-gates for passport control, smoothing the airport experience for arrivals, so there's an upside for us. And CNN there fails to mention that the application and 7e fee are multi-entry for years (3 or 5, I don't recall...)
It's supposed to be good for 3 years or your passport expires, whichever comes first.
ESTA is only good for 2 or until passport expires, whichever comes first.
And €7 is a bargain. The Americans recently increased the price of their equivalent to an extortionate US$21.
And that certainly mounts up when travelling as a family as the charge is per individual.
I'll gladly pay €7 for a smoother arrivals experience. My 2023 tour is in May so, absent further delays, I may be test driving it.
I just did the math for me. I will raise my travel cost by 0.03% over the next 3 years. If all the money goes to AMS, that would be good.
Australia has been requiring a "Visa" for years - although if I remember it was free - no biggie
It's not a visa, it's specifically in place for people coming without a visa.
And it's the (cheaper) equivalent of what the U.S. has required my Italian husband to acquire when coming to the U.S. since 2009.
It is the right, and the obligation, of every country to control access for visitors and other non-citizens to itself. I have no problem with this.
And that certainly mounts up when travelling as a family as the charge is per individual.
A family of 8 would pay a whopping $56 (USD), a mere drop in the bucket for 3 years travel in the EU.
And, by the way, why do people find safety/security measures so annoying?
Yes, I know it's not a visa. That's why I put it in quotation marks.
The European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA) is responsible for developing the system. ETIAS is expected to be operational in May 2023. The ETIAS Regulation provides for transitional measures to ensure a smooth roll out of the system.
A helpful post would be one advising when the application process will open. For those of us who hope to travel next year, getting this bit of 'busy work' out of the way would be nice
You need an ESTA even if you are just transiting the USA.
The new European system isn’t a new idea - we have known about its introduction for a couple of years and unfortunately it now applies to us Brits too after Brexit plus anybody who isn’t from an EU or Schengen country. It’s not just for Americans. It will easily catch anyone who has overstayed the 90 day limit.
After all we haven’t made anyone from Europe do anything annoying like this have we? We reap what we sow.
We’ve been requiring people to do this for years because it’s “preventing terrorism.” Now we have to do the same thing that we are requiring others to do. And it’s wrong now?
And that certainly mounts up when travelling as a family as the charge is per individual.
A family of 8 would pay a whopping $56 (USD), a mere drop in the bucket for 3 years travel in the EU.
And, by the way, why do people find safety/security measures so annoying?
I was referring to the US ESTA costs. A family of 8 pay a whopping $168 to enter the US.
I was referring to the US ESTA costs. A family of 8 pay a whopping $168 to enter the US.
Ok, I see now that you were talking about the US ESTA, but still $168 for a family of 8 is still a drop in the total travel budget. The kind of amount you can pretty much write off. If it's for safety and security (or even if it's just for the appearance of said) it's worth that and more.
Nancy, our family of four made it a week on $168, minus hotels. It's a definite hit to the middle class budget.
We did a lot of walking and free stuff.
periscope hit the daggone nail on the head. We get nickeled and dimed to death at every turn.
edit: Hot Wife said under $150 but wasn't exactly sure.
If your family can’t afford this maybe you should reach out to your elected officials and ask them why they are requiring visitors to this country to do this and why they’re charging so much.
After all if it’s a hit your budget what do you think it is to the budget of someone visiting the United States?
Carrier imposed surcharge
$336.70
Taxes
$336.70
United Kingdom Air Passenger Duty APD
$233.80
United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge Departures
$68.60Total= $639.10
Flying BA LHR to LAX-- This is the BA/UK fees and taxes to leave town ( Biz class)
In coach its 'just' $322.00
Is the $21 ESTA fee really a big deal in the grand scheme of things?
And the 7 euro ETAIS fee represents one stop at Starbucks?
ESTA is stupid as well as the tit for tat European ‘visa.’ Just take the money and don’t make people go through silly hoops.
When ESTA started most people said other countries would respond with their own versions (retaliate seems a little too harsh of word).
Last long trip through Mexico (2000) I recall we needed a "tourist permit" at $20 each. Since then, I've only been through by cruise ship and assume that's part of the cost of the cruise.
Same for Australia. I haven't been since the 80's but they required an "exit visa" that cost 20 Australian dollars each back then.
Looks like the price of an Exit Visa has dropped considerably since 1941.
