ETIAS for Guatemalans
European travel authorisation for Guatemala Citizens
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Guatemalan passport holders can visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without a visa. This means that Guatemalans do not need to visit a European embassy or consulate before visiting any of the member countries.
From 2026 , there will be a new travel permit for Guatemalan citizens and other visa-exempt visitors. The EU is launching the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, ETIAS. This visa waiver programme will be implemented in 2026 and citizens of Guatemala will be able to apply before departure.
WHAT ARE GUATEMALANS REQUIRED TO DO BEFORE HEADING TO EUROPE?
Citizens of Guatemala do not need to get a Schengen visa to visit Europe. While this will not change, Guatemalan citizens will be able to apply for an ETIAS authorisation from 2026 . The simple online form can be completed from a smartphone, tablet or personal computer. ETIAS is not a visa and applicants will not need to visit and embassy or consulate.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System will pre-screen applicants against multiple security databases. Guatemalans will be granted authorisation to travel to the Schengen Area if they pass the screening proceedures.
ETIAS will allow European Authorities to register and pre-screen all visa-exempt travellers and prevent individuals that could represent a security threat from crossing Schengen borders.
It will become mandatory for Guatemalan nationals to apply for an ETIAS to be eligible for admittance into any and all of the Schengen Area member countries. A separate visa-waiver is not required for each country. Applicants indicate the country of first entry on the ETIAS form, after arrival in Europe they can go to any of the nations to which Schengen visa policy applies.
ETIAS grants holders permission to visit all 23 EU member countries, 4 European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) members as well as some European microstates.
ETIAS REQUIRED
THIS INCLUDES ALL 25 EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHENGEN AGREEMENT:
- EU Schengen
- Non-EU Schengen States
- Non-Schengen EU States
MICRO-STATES DE FACTO PART OF SCHENGEN AREA:
- Monaco
- San Marino
- Vatican City
Aside from the member states located in mainland Europe, Guatemalan ETIAS holders will also be granted permission to visit the overseas territories of some European Union countries although they are situated outside of Schengen’s borders, such as:
- The Canary Islands in Spain
- Madeira, in Portugal
- The Azores, in Portugal
ETIAS will also be required to visit these EU countries which are in the process of joining the Schengen Area: Bulgaria, Cyrpus and Romania.
ETIAS FOR GUATEMALANS VALIDITY AND LENGTH OF STAY
The ETIAS Travel Authorisation is valid for up to 3 years. The ETIAS visa waiver allows Guatemalan citizens to travel to the Schengen Area multiple times for tourism, business, or short-term study.
Guatemalans can use an ETIAS authorisation to visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Guatemalans transiting through a Schengen country on the way to another destination will also need to get the ETIAS if they plan to leave the international transit part of the airport during their layover.
REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR ETIAS FROM GUATEMALA
This is what Guatemalans will need to apply for ETIAS:
- Guatemalan passport valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area
- Email address to receive status updates
- Credit or debit card to pay the ETIAS fees
As ETIAS is a visa waiver, not a visa, additional supporting documents will not be required in most cases. All information is provided digitally when completing the electronic application form.
TRAVELLING FROM GUATEMALA TO EUROPE WITH AN ETIAS VISA WAIVER
Citizens of all ages, including children from Guatemala who are visiting the Schengen zone will need their own ETIAS travel authorisation. Visa-exempt non-EU nationals will not be able to travel to the Schengen Area without registering once the system goes live.
The ETIAS will be verified when the Guatemalan passport is scanned at the external Schengen border.
Travelling to Europe from Guatemala has other restrictions regarding the luggage travellers take. Under no circumstance should people travel with explosives, firearms or other threatening materials. Exporting and importing large amounts of money is also not allowed.
GUATEMALANS CAN APPLY ONLINE FOR ETIAS
Guatemalan citizens will soon be able to get the ETIAS visa waiver by applying online. Applicants will need to provide basic personal and passport information, including:
- Full name
- Date and place of birth
- Passport number, issue date, and expiry date
- Contact details, including an email address
There will also be some security questions to verify the applicant is eligible for visa-free travel from Guatemala to Europe.
To finalise the application, Guatemalans pay the ETIAS visa waiver fee online by credit or debit card. The information provided will then be automatically cross-checked against security databases, improving border management and increasing security.
Most ETIAS applications from Guatemala will be processed and approved quickly. Applicants are notified by email once their ETIAS application has been approved.
ETIAS for Guatemalans - FAQ
Can Guatemalan citizens study in Europe with an ETIAS visa waiver? Toggle faqs
Yes, students from Guatemala with an ETIAS visa waiver can study in a Schengen member state for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
To study long-term courses, such as a degree, Guatemalans will have to apply for a student visa or Schengen visa and study permit for the European country in question.
Should this be your situation, be sure to visit the embassy or consulate of the country where you wish to study in order to request information on which type of visa applies to your specific case and the requirements for application.
Are Guatemalans allowed to work in the European Union with an ETIAS visa waiver? Toggle faqs
The ETIAS travel authorisation can only be used for tourism, business, short-term study, and transit purposes in any of the Schengen member countries. Guatemalans who plan to work in the European Union will need to apply for a European visa. This can be done by visiting the embassy or consulate of the country in which the citizen is planning to work in order to request more information.
Guatemalan citizens working in the Schengen Area with an ETIAS could not only have their travel authorisation revoked but may also face fines and/or deportation.
How can Guatemalan travellers stay in Europe for longer than 90 days? Toggle faqs
The ETIAS grants Guatemalan citizens a 90 day stay within a 180-day period. This means that the traveller needs to exit the Schengen Area within 90 days and stay in a third-party country until the 180 days are over. On day 181 the visitor will be granted another 90-day period within the next 180 days during which they may stay in the European Union once more.
Should a Guatemalan traveller wish to stay longer than 90 days will need to visit an embassy or consulate to apply for a visa.
Overstaying on an ETIAS travel authorisation may result in the Guatemalan traveller facing fines, deportation, having their ETIAS revoked, and, in some instances, even being barred from applying for ETIAS in the future.