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ETIAS: What Non-EU Travelers Should Expect from Europe's New Pre-Travel Authorisation System
Regulation (EU) 2021/1134 established ETIAS, requiring visa-exempt travelers including US, UK, and Canadian citizens to obtain online pre-travel authorization before entering the Schengen Area.
On 22 September 2021, Regulation (EU) 2021/1134 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, codifying amendments to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). ETIAS will require visa-exempt travellers to obtain an online travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area.
The system, when operational, will apply to citizens of countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and Israel. Applicants must submit biographical information, passport details and security-related answers through an online portal. Most applications will be approved automatically within minutes, but some may require manual review.
ETIAS does not replace visas nor does it confer the right to work or reside in the EU. Instead, it functions similarly to the U.S. ESTA system: a pre-screening tool intended to strengthen border security and reduce irregular migration.
For foreign nationals visiting Portugal frequently—such as property owners, business travellers and retirees exploring relocation—ETIAS introduces an additional administrative step but not a major barrier. For residents of Portugal with valid residence permits, ETIAS will not be required.
The 2021 publication marked a significant step toward final implementation, although the system’s go-live date has since been postponed.
Official source: Official Journal of the European Union, Regulation (EU) 2021/1134, 22 September 2021 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu)