European Travel Information and Authorization System: how will ETIAS work in 2027?

From 2027, ETIAS will become part of the procedures that citizens of visa-exempt countries will have to consider before travelling to European destinations. It is an electronic travel authorization designed to strengthen preliminary checks on travellers intending to make short stays in the European area covered by the system.

ETIAS is not a visa and does not, in itself, change the rules governing entry into Europe. Its operation is rather comparable to that of a prior authorization: before departure, the authorities check the information provided by the traveller and determine whether there are grounds for refusing the authorization.

Who will have to apply for it

The requirement will apply to third-country nationals who can currently travel without a visa to the 30 European countries that will apply ETIAS. Those who are already subject to a visa requirement for entry into the area concerned will instead have to continue following the procedure applicable to the appropriate visa. In this respect, ETIAS and a visa are not interchangeable instruments: whether a traveller needs a visa for Italy, for example, depends on the traveller’s nationality and the rules applicable to their situation.

The authorization will be electronically linked to the passport used during the application. This connection is particularly important because the traveller will have to present the same document at the border as the one indicated in the application. If the passport is replaced in the meantime, even if the previous ETIAS would theoretically still be valid, a new application will be required.

How the ETIAS application will be submitted

The procedure will be entirely digital and may be completed through the official ETIAS website or the official mobile application. Applicants will have to enter the requested data and provide the information necessary for the system to carry out the required checks.

For most people, the procedure should be completed quickly. In many cases, a decision will arrive within a few minutes, but this interval cannot be regarded as a guarantee. Some applications may require additional checks. In such circumstances, a response may arrive within four days; the period may be extended to 14 days when additional information or documents are requested and may reach 30 days if an interview is necessary.

For this reason, anyone planning a trip in 2027, when the system is expected to enter into force (subject to any further postponements), would be well advised not to leave the ETIAS application until the last moment. Starting the procedure in advance allows sufficient time to deal with any additional requests or problems with the information entered.

The application will cost €20, although the legislation provides for certain categories of travellers to be exempt from the fee. Once the application has been submitted, the applicant will receive an electronic communication confirming its submission and containing a reference number. It is advisable to keep this number, as it may be useful for subsequently checking the application.

What happens after the application

The outcome of the procedure will be sent by email. If the authorization is granted, it will be important to carefully check the information provided, particularly the name and passport number. An error in the data may cause problems at departure or during border checks, making it necessary to take action before travelling.

A refusal will not arrive without an explanation either. The communication will state the reasons for the decision and indicate how the applicant may lodge an appeal, as well as specifying the competent authority and the deadlines within which this right may be exercised.

How long will the authorization be valid?

Once granted, ETIAS authorization will generally be valid for three years. There is, however, a limitation linked to the passport: if the document used to submit the application expires before the three-year period, the validity of ETIAS will end with it.

During its period of validity, the authorization may be used for multiple trips, provided that the conditions applicable to short stays are met. The general rule will remain 90 days within any 180-day period. It is therefore not a permit allowing unlimited stays in the countries concerned, but rather an instrument linked to the conditions already applicable to visa-free travel.

The calculation of days must be considered carefully, particularly by those who make several trips over the course of a few months. In addition, for travellers going to Cyprus, the time spent in the country is calculated separately from the limit applicable to the other European countries requiring ETIAS.

The authorization does not amount to automatic entry

One of the most important aspects to understand is that obtaining ETIAS does not automatically confer the right to enter European territory.

The authorization is intended to clear the preliminary check, but upon arrival, border authorities will continue to verify that the traveller meets all entry conditions. The passport and other required documents may therefore be requested and, if the requirements are not met, entry may be refused even if ETIAS has been approved.

For this reason too, it is essential that the passport be the one used in the application and that it meet the applicable validity requirements. As a general rule, the document must remain valid for at least three months beyond the planned date of departure from the European countries concerned, subject to the exceptions provided for by the rules.

What will actually change for those travelling in 2027

For many travellers, the main new feature will therefore be the introduction of a digital step to be completed before departure. It will no longer be sufficient to know that one’s nationality allows visa-free travel: before setting off, it will be necessary to check whether, depending on one’s circumstances, a valid ETIAS is also required.

The procedure will not replace border controls and will not eliminate checks carried out upon arrival. Its purpose will rather be to bring part of the checks forward to before the journey, allowing the authorities to have information about the travellers concerned in advance.

In practice, anyone organizing a short stay in 2027 will have to consider ETIAS alongside the other traditional aspects of travel preparation. Before departure, it will be advisable to check that the authorization is still valid, that the information exactly matches the passport and that the total period of stay complies with the permitted limit.

The entry into force of ETIAS will therefore represent a change mainly in terms of travel preparation. For citizens who benefit from the visa-exemption regime, it will not mean applying for a traditional visa, but rather obtaining in advance an electronic authorization linked to their travel document. This is an important distinction, particularly to avoid confusing ETIAS with a visa procedure or with an automatic guarantee of entry into Europe.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.

Article written by Alessia Ajelli, Managing Associate of LCA Studio Legale, Italian lawyer specialized on Italian immigration and citizenship law.