Italy ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System, which is a fully electronic system coming into force in 2025 that will track visitors to the Schengen zone from non-EU countries that do not require a visa to enter the Schengen zone, which includes the UK.
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When the system becomes operational in 2025 citizens from all ETIAS eligible countries will require ETIAS clearance to enter the EU Schengen zone.The purpose of Italy ETIAS is to improve the safety and security of the Schengen zone and people visiting it. The information and documentation submitted during the application process is analysed and cross-checked against existing databases, to ensure the applicant does not pose a security risk. ETIAS Italy is an electronic scheme introduced by the EU, which functions in a similar way to the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system. When it becomes operational in 2025, it will track visitors from visa exempt non-EU countries to ensure they are not a security risk.
UK citizens are included among those who are eligible for ETIAS, meaning they will be required to have ETIAS approval before entering the Schengen zone from 2025. ETIAS was introduced to improve the security of the Schengen zone and those visiting it. Due to the growing threat of terrorism in recent years, ensuring the safety of the region became of increasing importance. Italy ETIAS will work to reduce security concerns by tracking visitors and strengthening the borders.
ETIAS will be required of any citizen of a non-EU country that is exempt from requiring a visa to enter the Schengen zone, for example the UK, the USA, New Zealand and Australia. When travelling to Italy from UK ETIAS will use the data collected during the application process to assess if the applicant is a security threat. If ETIAS approval is given, it will be valid for three years and the ETIAS holder may visit anywhere in the Schengen zone during that time, for 90 days in any 180-day period.
The EU currently has a visa-free travel arrangement with a list of countries worldwide, including the UK, and these countries will be eligible for ETIAS when the system becomes operational in 2025. Citizens of these countries will be required to have ETIAS approval before travelling into the Schengen zone.
Italy ETIAS will only be valid for a visit of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Anyone wishing to stay longer than 90 days within the Schengen zone will have to apply for a visa or residence permit.
Minors (under 18’s) must apply for ETIAS authorisation before travelling to the Schengen region, but for them the application is free of charge. The application for minors should be filled out by a parent or legal guardian.
All citizens of countries that are not part of the EU but hold visa-free status to travel to the Schengen zone will be eligible for ETIAS when it becomes operational in 2025 and will be required to submit Italy ETIAS applications. The list of ETIAS eligible countries now includes the UK, since it is no longer a part of the EU. The full list of ETIAS eligible countries are as follows:
Albania
Antigua-et-Barbuda
Argentine
Australie
Bahamas
Barbade
Bosnie-Herzégovine
Brésil
Brunei
Canada
Chili
Colombie
Costa Rica
République dominicaine
Le Salvador
Géorgie
Grenade
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Israël
Japon
Kiribati
Macao
Macédoine du Nord
Malaisie
Îles Marshall
Île Maurice
Mexique
Micronésie
Moldavie
Monténégro
Nouvelle-Zélande
Nicaragua
Palaos
Panama
Paraguay
Pérou
Saint Kitts & Nevis
Sainte-Lucie
Saint Vincent
St. Vincent
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Taiwan
Timor Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uruguay
Ukraine
UAE
Vanuatu
Venezuela
United Kingdom
United States
The application is electronic and should take 20 minutes or less to complete. Certain information will be required from the applicant such as name, surname, contact details, work experience and education. A valid biometric passport is the only documentation required in the Italy ETIAS application unless later requested. The application will also include some questions for safety and security purposes about medical history, drug use, criminal records and history of travel within warzones. Usually, a response will be given within minutes of the application being submitted, but if something is deemed wrong with the application, manual processing could take between 96 hours and 2 weeks. This will be a rare occurrence – in most cases ETIAS approval will be given.
The cost of the application will be around £6, although this is yet to be confirmed, and the fee will have to be paid by credit or debit card. People under 18 and over 70 will not be required to pay a fee.
Italy ETIAS Italy Application requires minimal documentation and only requests a valid biometric passport during the initial application. Since 2010, biometric passports have been issued as standard in the UK, so most people will fulfil this prerequisite. The passport will be expected to fulfil the following requirements:
If the document is deemed insufficient by the system, additional documentation may be requested, a list of which will be sent to the applicant’s given email address. In rare instances, if the supporting documentation does not prove the authenticity or adequacy of the information given, then the applicant may be asked to attend an interview, or the application may ultimately be denied.
