New regulations to travel to France (and Europe) as soon as 2025

ESTIAS - New requirement to travel to Europe

 

Be aware: starting in the first half of 2025, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries (also known as visa-waiver) will be required to have a travel authorisation to enter France and 30 other European countries, EVEN for a short stay. This travel authorization is called ESTIAS, stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is the equivalent to the American ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) or the Canadian ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization).

Countries in blue will require an ESTIAS

 

In a nutshell:

• The ESTIAS is linked to a traveller’s passport. 

• Valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. 

• One can enter France as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days (3 months) in any 180-day period. 

• Like the ESTA or the ESA, the ESTIAS does not guarantee entry. 

• It will cost 7 EUR per person (free for travellers over 70, and 18 or younger

• It is possible to fill out the application on behalf of your travellers.

Your local DMC can help

French Incoming is an incoming agency in France, organizing group tours, individual trips, professional meetings and more. We are here to help. Feel free to contact us for more info.

More detailed information here under:

 

APPLICATION: Application for an ETIAS travel authorisation through the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application. These applications are not yet currently in operations (at the time I write this article - october 2024).

 

COST:  Applying for the ETIAS travel authorisation costs EUR 7. Applicants who are under 18 or above 70 years of age are exempt from this payment. Also exempt are family members of EU citizens or of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union. The fee may be paid online.

 

PROCESS: Most applications are processed within minutes. It is possible however that your application may take longer to process. If so, you will receive a decision within four days. Please note that this period could be extended by up to 14 days if you are requested to provide additional information or documentation, or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview. This is why you should apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance of your planned journey. 

 

CONFIRMATION: You will receive an email confirming the submission of your application which will include your unique ETIAS application number: make sure you keep this number for future reference. Once your application has been processed, you will receive another email informing you about its outcome. When you get your ETIAS travel authorisation please make sure your name, passport number and other information is correct: if there is any mistake, you will not be allowed to cross the border. 

If your application is refused, the email will provide the reasons for this decision. It will also include information about how to appeal, details of the competent authority, as well as the relevant time limit to appeal. 

 

VALIDITY PERIOD:  Your ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for three years or until the travel document you used in your application expires - whichever comes first. A valid ETIAS travel authorisation entitles you to stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. You must be in possession of a valid ETIAS travel authorisation during your entire stay. You can leave and come back at any time, as long as you respect this time limit.