Current official declarations by European officers verify that ETIAS (the European Journey and Data Authorization System) will come into impact ranging from late 2022. The visa waiver for Europe was till now anticipated to be launched in 2021.
When this system will come into full pressure, residents from over 60 international locations that now get pleasure from visa-free standing might want to register within the system and acquire an ETIAS authorization earlier than travelling to Europe.
This is applicable additionally to vacationers planning a visit to Italy, as this common vacation spot is a Schengen member state.
The European Fee gave particulars on how the system shall be applied.

What’s ETIAS and Who Must Get One?
At the moment, nationals of over 60 non-EU international locations are eligible to be admitted into Italy with no visa. Amongst these are the holders of a passport issued by the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK.
ETIAS will not be a visa, however reasonably an on-line authorization system aimed toward enhancing the safety of the Schengen zone in addition to making the screening processes on the border faster and smoother.
Vacationers who don’t want an Italian journey allow now will nonetheless get pleasure from visa-free standing after 2022. Nevertheless, they’ll have to join ETIAS on-line previous to departure and present a legitimate ETIAS authorization to the Italian border management officers (if getting into the Schengen space through Italy).
How one can Apply for ETIAS for Italy
The appliance course of is designed to be very fast and straightforward to finish. ETIAS candidates ought to have the ability to lodge their request on-line in a matter of minutes.
All they’ll want is:
- A working web connection and present e mail deal with
- An eligible and legitimate passport for visa-free journey to Europe
- A accomplished utility kind (this shall be accessed through the identical ETIAS portal)
- Credit score or debit card particulars to pay for the processing charge
After the appliance is full and submitted, foreigners ought to obtain the permitted ETIAS through e mail inside hours or days. No want to go to the Italian embassy or consulate nor to fill out lengthy paperwork.
When Will Travellers Must Apply for ETIAS?
ETIAS shall be a compulsory requirement for getting into the Schengen space (and due to this fact, Italy) from the top of 2022. Nevertheless, it’s going to nonetheless be doable to journey to Italy visa-free throughout an preliminary transition interval.
The next is a provisional ETIAS timeline as defined by the European authorities:
- ETIAS shall be launched on the finish of 2022
- For the first 6 months, non-EU, visa-free residents will have the ability to go to Italy with no journey authorization. Nevertheless, the border officers shall be obliged to tell vacationers that they’ll quickly want an ETIAS visa waiver (this shall be known as transition interval)
- Through the following 6 months, a grace interval will nonetheless see some guests exempt from the requirement. Though ETIAS shall be necessary, third-country nationals with out the journey authorization shall be nonetheless let into Europe supplied that they’re crossing the exterior borders for the primary time because the finish of the transition interval.
- The grace interval could also be prolonged for a most of 6 months.
The European Fee intends to offer worldwide travellers with loads of time and knowledge in order that they’ll get pleasure from their Italian holidays hassle-free.