Apply directly at the official EU ETIAS portal. Have your passport, a credit or debit card, and an email address. Answer the form, pay €20, and wait for the decision email.
Most applications are approved within minutes. A minority go to manual review (up to 96 hours, rarely up to 30 days). Apply at least 96 hours before departure and don't use third-party reseller sites that add markup for no value.
01Before you start
The application itself is quick; preparation prevents rejections. Gather the following:
- Your biometric passport. Valid for at least three months past your intended Schengen exit date, issued within the last ten years.
- A working email address. The decision is sent here. Not a shared family inbox — use one you check.
- A credit, debit, or approved online payment card. The fee is €20; no fee is collected in a currency other than euro.
- Travel plans, even loose ones. You'll be asked the first Schengen country you expect to enter. A best guess is fine; the plan isn't binding.
- Previous visa refusals. If you've been refused a Schengen or EU visa in the last ten years, you must disclose it.
Only use the official portal. Paying an intermediary site is legal but pointless: they add a fee (often €40–€80) and sometimes mishandle data. The European Commission's portal is free to use except for the €20 fee itself.
02The nine steps, at a glance
| Step | What you do | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Start | Open the official ETIAS portal and select your passport country | 30 sec |
| 2. Identity | Type your name, DOB, place of birth, nationality exactly as on your passport | 90 sec |
| 3. Document | Enter passport number, issue/expiry dates, issuing country | 60 sec |
| 4. Contact | Home address, email, phone; residency status | 90 sec |
| 5. Travel | First Schengen country of entry; optional accommodation | 60 sec |
| 6. Background | Nine yes/no questions on criminal history, deportation, conflict zones | 2 min |
| 7. Review | Double-check everything — typos are the #1 cause of refusal | 2 min |
| 8. Pay | €20 by card (Apple Pay / Google Pay supported) | 60 sec |
| 9. Wait | Decision by email. Most under 10 min. | Minutes |
03Every field, explained
Identity fields
These must match your passport character-for-character. The system cross-checks against Interpol, SIS, and Europol databases using exact-match logic first. A missing hyphen in a double-barrelled name is a manual-review trigger.
- Surname / given names — copy from the MRZ line at the bottom of your passport if unsure.
- Name at birth — required for applicants whose surname has changed.
- Date, city, country of birth — from your passport. Some passports omit city of birth; in that case use your actual place of birth.
- Nationality(ies) — list all, in passport order. Dual nationals must declare both.
Passport fields
- Passport number — nine or more characters; letter O vs. zero confusion is common.
- Issue date / expiry date — note the expiry must exceed your planned exit by three months.
- Issuing country / authority — state, not federal. Missouri, not United States.
Background questions
Nine yes/no questions covering: serious criminal convictions in the last ten years, terrorism-related offenses (any time), deportation or removal from any country in the last ten years, travel to conflict zones in the last ten years, whether you're subject to any EU member state's return decision. Answering "yes" does not automatically disqualify you — it escalates to manual review, where context matters.
Be honest. Undisclosed history surfaces in the database checks anyway. Disclosure plus context usually resolves to approval; discovered non-disclosure is a near-certain refusal.
04How long approval takes
The 96-hour figure gives the Commission the operational flexibility it needs; in practice most manual reviews complete in under a day. Apply at least four days before departure to give yourself margin, and at least two weeks before if you have a complicated history.
05What triggers manual review
- A "yes" to any background question. The specific question matters — a weapons offense from 2017 and a minor driving offense from 2020 are handled very differently.
- Data-mismatch hits against SIS or EES. Usually resolvable with documentation; occasionally a case of mistaken identity.
- Typos or format inconsistencies. A passport expiry typed as DD/MM where MM/DD was expected is a classic.
- Prior Schengen visa refusal within 10 years. You must disclose; the system then re-reviews.
- Diplomatic, service, or unusual travel documents that don't fit the standard flow.
06If your application is refused
The refusal notice identifies the member state that processed your case and explains the appeals procedure for that state. Most refusals cite a specific data point; corrective applications (with evidence) usually succeed.
- Appeals must typically be filed with that member state's authorities, often in the national language.
- You may reapply with a new application (and new €20 fee) rather than appeal — usually faster.
- A refusal on your ETIAS record may complicate future applications; document everything.
07After approval
Your ETIAS is linked electronically to your passport. There's no stamp, no card, no printout to carry. Airlines query the system at check-in; border officers query it on arrival. You'll receive an email with a reference number — save it, but it's not a boarding pass.
Your ETIAS is valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Within that period you can enter Schengen as many times as you like, each stay constrained by the 90/180 rule. Use the 90/180 calculator to plan longer stays.
Application FAQ
Can someone else apply on my behalf?
Yes, with your authorization and accurate data. Parents and guardians apply for minors; travel agents may apply for clients. You're responsible for the accuracy of the information even if someone else types it.
What happens if I make a mistake?
You can't edit a submitted application. Minor errors that escape automated checks surface at the border. If the mistake affects eligibility (wrong passport number, wrong name), file a new application. The old fee is not refunded.
Can I get a refund?
Fees for refused applications are not refunded. That's consistent with ESTA, eVisas, and other travel-authorization systems worldwide.
Is the €20 fee really the only charge?
Yes — on the official portal. Third-party resellers add their own fees. Under-18s and over-70s pay nothing.
I renewed my passport mid-validity — what do I do?
Apply again for a new ETIAS tied to the new passport. The old one is automatically invalidated.
Can I travel immediately after approval?
Yes. Once the email arrives, your ETIAS is live. Check-in agents' lookups usually reflect the approval within minutes.
Last reviewed · April 20, 2026 · Sources: EC ETIAS portal, Regulation (EU) 2018/1240