ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is a completely electronic system which allows and keeps track of visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. In a way, it resembles the U.S Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which serves a similar purpose. The legal procedures to pass the ETIAS have started in 2016, and the system is expected to be in place by 2021.

The strategy for a safer and more secure Europe? Simply put, going digital. In July of 2018, the European Union (EU) lawmakers gave the go-ahead for ETIAS, a totally digitized European Travel Information System. ETIAS is just one initiative the European Parliament has adopted to help make Schengen Area travel safer for all and a lot easier for legitimate, short-term travelers coming from the United States.

ETIAS, the European Travel Information System, provides qualifying visitors a visa waiver when traveling to the Schengen Area, a group of European countries that have agreed upon who can visit and how long they can stay. The Schengen Area was created by the European Union, or EU, in the spirit of harmonious and free travel between borders and has grown to 26 countries – most are in the EU but some are not. Given the influx of international travelers to the Schengen Area, more comprehensive security checks have had to be put in place. ETIAS, much like ESTA in the United States, will create centralized data on who is visiting and why, providing enhanced security for all.

ETIAS is an online system that runs a comprehensive security check on applicants to make border crossings easier and travel safer. Just one small error – even a misspelling – can delay approval or even cause denial of your entry into a participating ETIAS country. You must apply for ETIAS in advance of your trip. The approval process can take up to four days, but most applications are approved immediately.

Europe is an extraordinary travel destination, here are a few attractions you can visit. One of the most intriguing destinations in Ibiza is the island of Es Vedra. Located just off the coast of Cala d’Hort on the western coast, Es Vedra is completely uninhabited. However, it is steeped in mystery and lore. Legends tie Es Vedra to Tanit, the Phoenician lunar goddess. The island was also the spot where the infamous sirens tried to lure Odysseus from his ship in Homer’s Odyssey. It is said that Es Vedra is incredibly magnetic, behind only the North Pole and the Bermuda Triangle. Cruises take you to see Es Vedra up close, plus they offer amazing views of the surrounding landscape.

Do I need ETIAS if I have a Schengen Visa? No, if you have a Schengen Visa, then you will not need an ETIAS authorization. You can present your visa to the border authorities when you enter the Schengen Zone countries. When your visa expires, you can apply for the ETIAS if you are eligible. See extra details at ETIAS EU.