ETIAS not elegible countries

From 2026 , there will be a new visa waiver for Europe. ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, will soon be a mandatory entry requirement for citizens from many non-EU countries.

ETIAS is not a visa. It is a travel authorisation issued to travellers entering the Schengen Area visa-free.

However, not all non-EU citizens are eligible for ETIAS, as laid out by Article 2 of the ETIAS regulation.

Third-country nationals who should not complete the ETIAS application fall into 2 main categories:

This article explains in further detail who does not qualify for ETIAS and why.

NATIONALITY AND ETIAS INELIGIBILITY

The main factor determining whether or not an individual can apply for ETIAS is their nationality. ETIAS is designed for citizens from third countries that are exempt from European visa requirements when staying for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.

ETIAS, therefore, does not replace the Schengen visa. It is a different permit required by travellers who can enter the Schengen Area visa-free.

Citizens of the third countries listed below are ineligible for ETIAS and must instead be in possession of a valid visa to cross a Member State external border:

Travellers from non-EU countries that do not appear on the above list are able to apply for ETIAS for short stays in Europe provided they meet all the other eligibility criteria.

DO CITIZENS OF THE EUROPEAN MICROSTATES NEED TO APPLY FOR ETIAS?

Citizens of the following European microstates can enter the Schengen Area without a visa or ETIAS permit:

Third-country nationals travelling to a European microstate should bear in mind that an ETIAS travel authorisation may be required when entering via another EU country.

DO IRISH CITIZENS NEED ETIAS TO VISIT EUROPE?

Nationals of Ireland are exempt from applying for ETIAS. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area but it is a member of the European Union.

Irish citizens enjoy freedom of movement in Europe to live, work, or study.

DO NATIONALS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM NEED TO GET AN ETIAS?

Nationals of the United Kingdom need ETIAS to travel to Europe unless they are a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Citizens of the UK with residence status in an EU country do not need ETIAS. They can stay in the EU country they live in and visit other European countries without applying for ETIAS.

ETIAS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU CITIZENS

Some third-country citizens do not need to apply for ETIAS, regardless of their nationality, based on family connections.

Article 2.2 (b) of the ETIAS regulation states “third-country nationals who are family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and who hold a residence card pursuant to that Directive”.

Non-EU nationals who meet this definition can cross an external Schengen Area border without a visa or ETIAS visa waiver. This only applies to individuals with a residence card or permit, in all other cases a visa or ETIAS will be required.

OTHER ETIAS EXEMPTIONS BASED ON FAMILY CONNECTIONS

Third-country nationals who are family members of a third-country national enjoying freedom of movement in European Union states equivalent to that of EU citizens are also exempt from visa and ETIAS requirements.

Again, a residence card in accordance with 2004/38/EC or residence permit pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 is essential to benefit from this exemption.

ETIAS FOR HOLDERS OF RESIDENCE CARDS AND VISAS

The ETIAS regulation does not apply to third-country citizens who have a residence permit issued by an EU Member State.

Given that the individual has already received permission to reside in one of the ETIAS countries, an additional authorisation in the form of a visa waiver is not necessary.

In addition, holders of the following types of permit or visa should not apply for an ETIAS visa waiver:

ARE DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT HOLDERS ELIGIBLE FOR ETIAS?

Foreigners visiting Europe using certain special passports may be exempt from visa and ETIAS requirements when on official trips.

The ETIAS regulation does not apply to diplomatic or service passport holders who “have been exempted from the visa requirements pursuant to an international agreement concluded by the Union and a third country”.

Diplomatic and service passport holders should ensure that the exemption applies when arranging a trip to one of the EU Member States.

OTHER ETIAS VISA WAIVER EXEMPTIONS

The final group of people who should not apply for an ETIAS visa waiver are “third-country nationals exercising their right to mobility in accordance with Directive 2014/66/EU (35) or (EU) 2016/801 (36) of the European Parliament and of the Council.”

Non-Europeans who believe that this exemption may apply to them should check these directives carefully or seek further clarification from the embassy or consulate of the EU Member State they wish to visit.

WHAT TO DO IF INELIGIBLE FOR ETIAS?

A third-country national who does not qualify for ETIAS based on their nationality, or who does not meet one of the other ETIAS requirements, needs to apply for a visa to cross an external EU border.

Travellers who need a visa must begin the application process well in advance and ensure they have all the necessary paperwork.

Third-country nationals to whom the ETIAS regulation does not apply based on one of the other exemptions may not need a visa or ETIAS.

EU Member State embassies can provide guidance on the documents required based on the traveller’s specific circumstances.