If you are planning a holiday to Italy, discover what ETIAS, the new European Travel Information and Authorization System, is.
The rules for travelling to Italy from abroad are simple. The Republic of Italy is one of the member States of the European Union since its foundation, and it is also part of the Schengen area, therefore the travel system and its regulation follow the European laws related to travel and visa system. Most of non-European visitors need a visa to cross the European borders, even though not all travelers from third countries have to require a visa: for example, people coming from countries such as USA, Canada or United Kingdom must only have a valid passport to enter the European Union, Italy included.
In the last few years, the European Union has worked on a new travel requirement for people coming from abroad the European Union, a new system valid for all the 27 member States, Italy included: it is the ETIAS, the new European Travel Information and Authorization System.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorization System is the new tool designed by the European Union institutions to regulate immigration from more than 30 countries such as USA, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Mexico etc., whose citizens until now don't have to ask a Schengen visa to enter the European Union. Similar to the US system ESTA, the new ETIAS will be a digital permission to travel to the European Union with a validity of 3 years and unlimited entries, it will permit the European authorities to check people before their arrival and it will require external visitors to have a valid passport to submit the proceedings and a payment of 7 Euros of fee.
When will ETIAS come into force?
Since 2016, the European Union has been working on this new system for travellers coming from specific countries. ETIAS should have come into force in 2021, but the Covid19 pandemic put a stop until nowadays. In October 2023, the European institutions have declared that the ETIAS will be introduced not before the implementation of EES - Entry Exit System, an IT system which will regulate travellers from countries abroad the European Union, both short-stay visa holders and a visa-free permission travellers. The main difference between ETIAS and EES system is the European visa system, ETIAS will work only for citizens who have visa-free status while EES will register both visa required and visa-free travellers every time they cross European Union external borders. The most updated information by the European Union points to the end of 2024 for the entry into force of EES and mid 2025 for the ETIAS.
Tips for travellers from third countries to the European Union
Passport, visa or ETIAS application? If you are planning a holiday to Italy and you want to be sure not to have problems, our suggestion is check the official website of Italian authorities or European Union institutions in order to be updated about the current rules to travel to Europe and therefore to Italy from countries abroad of European Union-obviously do not forget to check our magazine to plan an amazing vacation in our beloved Italy.
