Do I need Etias for Germany? If you can travel to Germany without a visa for short visits, you will be eligible for the German version of ETIAS, which is the European Travel Information and Authorization System.
The system is a new initiative to curb crime and the spread of pandemics in Europe. ETIAS is not a visa per se but a visa waiver program, so travelers from visa free countries will still be able to enjoy the same benefits of visiting Europe as before, but they must show ETIAS approval.
If you are a frequent traveler to Germany or you plan to do so in the coming weeks, the information contained in this post is important to you. Keep reading to learn more.
How Does The ETIAS System Work?
ETIAS is an electronic system designed to vet the identity of travelers coming to Germany for short visits. The system works quite fast, and the applicant will know whether they qualify for approval in a couple of minutes.
What makes this new policy ideal for both parties is that it allows the authorities in the host countries to keep a watchful eye out for criminal elements in one hand, while travelers coming to Germany can still enjoy the same benefits as before.
Once an applicant submits the completed Etias application form, the system will collate the data and screen it using the information stored in security databases such as the SIS and Eurocop databases, to mention a few.
Once the data registers a hit, the application will not be approved as one of two things may happen; either the application is rejected outrightly, or the data is forwarded to the manual ETIAS unit in Germany.
The officials at the unit will review the information and decide whether the applicant deserves the approval; in most cases, the unit will reach the same verdict reached by the system.
How Will ETIAS Be Used?
Visitors whose successful applications will receive approved documents in their emails which they must print out. When journeying to Germany, they must show their ETIAS at the border screening post or the airport before they will be allowed into Germany.
Who Needs ETIAS To Enter Germany?
ETIAS will not be required for everyone except nationals of visa free countries. There is a list of visa free countries whose citizens don’t need a visa to enter any country in the Schengen Area. If you are from any of these countries, you will need an Etias visa waiver to continue to enjoy visa free waiver.
How to Get ETIAS?
Those who require ETIAS to enter Germany don’t have to go through stress to get it. The European Commission has made the process relatively easy so visitors can lay hold of the document as quickly as possible. The process is online and requires only soft copies of a few documents. You can fill out the application form on VisaHQ as follows:
Log onto VisaHQ
Choose Germany as your primary destination
Choose your country
Select Etias
Complete the application form
Attach your documents
Pay the application fee
Submit for approval
Although eligible travelers are allowed to visit more than one Schengen country at a time, the country they wish to visit first should be their primary destination. It is only after visiting the country that they can then visit other countries in the Schengen Area.
How Long Can You Stay In Europe With ETIAS?
You can stay in Europe with your ETIAS permit for 90 days maximum, counting from the first day you set foot in the Schengen Area. It doesn’t matter whether you visit only Germany or several other countries, as the time is counted as one once you are in the European Union timezone. It is also valid for three years, so that you can use it for multiple entries.
How To Pay For ETIAS?
Since it is an online application, the fee is paid with a credit or debit card. ETIAS fee is €7 and is non refundable. Only those between 18-70 years must pay the fee, and minors and travelers above 70 are exempt from paying.
ETIAS Requirements For Germany
The requirements for ETIAS are a combination of data and documents, namely:
A valid passport
Personal information
Travel history information
Occupation and education
Ensure that you provide only valid information when filling out your ETIAS form so it will be approved. Those who obtain ETIAS using false information or invalid documents will be denied entry at the border or airport.
Do I need ETIAS for Germany? Yes, you do if you are from a visa exempt country, but you don’t if you need a Schengen visa to enter the country. The ETIAS application form is available on VisaHQ for eligible travelers.