As a US citizen, if I enter Europe in Barcelona and complete etias when entering Barcelona do I need to go through this process again when I fly from Rome back to the US?
Thank you in advance for your assistance!
Joy
Posted by
Penzance
358 posts
I thought ESTA was for travelling to the USA.
Do you mean EES?
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10679 posts
You will go through passport control in both locations. Sometimes this means using kiosk and egate and sometimes it means interacting with an agent. Do be sure passport agent in Rome either stamps or scans your passport on exit.
Posted by
Angleterre
2912 posts
As a US citizen you will go through the ESS process when you arrive at Barcelona and when you depart from Rome.
As a US citizen the ESTA process does not apply when you enter the US.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7784 posts
As a US citizen you will go through the EES process when you arrive at Barcelona and when you depart from Rome.
As a US citizen the ESTA process does not apply when you enter the US.
Edited (bold) for accuracy.
ESTA is a requirement for some non US citizens to enter the US. EES is a requirement for US passport holders when entering and exiting the European Schengen zone.
Posted by
Freedonia
19599 posts
As others have noted, you will go through EES when you enter and exit Schengen. It is basically just automated immigration.
ETIAS is something completely different that is not in operation nor does it appear to be anytime in the near future.
Posted by
Maryland, USA
200 posts
It might help a little to know what all these acronyms stand for:
EES - Entry/Exit System. European immigration system that became active earlier this year, and is what you will deal with upon entering AND exiting the Schengen zone of Europe (including Spain and Italy). Nothing to apply for in advance, no fee. It involves them collecting your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at the entry airport. It is SUPPOSED to keep track of how many days you are in the Schengen zone, since most of us are limited to 90 days within a 180-day period. Implementation has been haphazard so keep proof of your entry and exit dates (boarding passes should suffice, I've been told).
ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorisation System. Not yet active; it keeps getting kicked down the road. When it starts, there will be a fee involved. (Don't know how much; probably under $50 but that's a guess.) You will apply and get authorization before a trip.
ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Authorization for non-US citizens to enter the US. Not relevant to you as already mentioned. Analogous to ETIAS. (The UK has ETA, Electronic Travel Authorisation, same idea.)