Do I Need An ETIAS Visa Waiver For Italy In 2024?
No, The Rollout Of The New ETIAS Italy Visa Waiver Has Been Delayed Again Until May Of 2025 - Or Even Later
- Nathan Heinrich
- Rome, Italy
If you’re planning a trip to Italy, or anywhere else in the European Union, in 2024 you may have heard that you need a special travel document called an ETIAS visa waiver.
While this was the case until recently, the implementation of this new program has been pushed back to 2025 – per the most recent update from the EU, in September of 2023.
According to the new guidelines by the European Union:
“If you are one of the many non-EU citizens planning to travel to an EU member state / country, anytime after May 0f 2025, you will need a valid ETIAS Italy visa waiver form (more commonly simply called an ‘ETIAS visa waiver form’)”.
This form is only for travelers visiting EU countries from visa-exempt countries – in other words, valid passport holders from the USA, New Zealand, Australia, The United Kingdom, Japan, and many other nations that have visa-free travel arrangements with Italy and other European countries.
The Launch Of The ETIAS Rollout Has Been Delayed Again, Until 2025 - Or Later
According to Schengen Visa Info, “The European Union has once again postponed the launch date of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), EU sources have confirmed. The go-live date for ETIAS has now been delayed to May 2025.”
“We had initially hoped for the EES to become operational by the end of this year or, at the latest, the beginning of the next year.
Due to unforeseen delays, it has become evident that this timeline is unattainable.
As a result, the implementation of the ETIAS has been rescheduled to May 2025, with the possibility of further postponement”.
– EU Official
Travel Tips For Italy
As an American who lives in Italy, I will share all the important information on this important travel document, as well as other travel tips, with you.
*Pro Tips:
Planning your trip to Italy and Europe? Not sure the best time to visit?
Two of my favorite months to be in Italy are May and September.
Interested in visiting the best wineries in Italy?
Here are the best wineries near the Amalfi Coast, Naples, Florence, Chianti, and Montepulciano.
What is the ETIAS Visa Waiver?
It is only for travelers visiting EU countries from visa-exempt countries
The ETIAS Visa Waiver is NOT a visa.
Rather, it is an electronic travel authorization document that will now be required starting in May of 2025 that pre-screens you for travel and will make your time going through customs more efficient when you arrive in Europe.
The ETIAS Visa Waiver is a form that can be filled out, paid for, submitted, approved, and emailed to you within a few minutes online. The cost for the ETIAS Visa Waiver is €7 euros (approx $8 USD).
If you live in one of the 60 countries that DO NOT require a visa to enter the Schengen zone of the European Union, you will need this electronic document as of May, 2025.
If you live in a nation that DOES require a visa to enter the EU Zone, then this will not apply to you – you will need to proceed with the requirement of obtaining a visa in the standard method.
Traveling with the ETIAS Visa Waiver: Is it a digital or a physical document?
It is a digital document with a code that can be printed or kept on your phone
After submitting your online form and paying the fee, you will be emailed a digital document with a code that can be printed or kept on your phone to be scanned at the airport or port of arrival.
Who needs to apply for an ETIAS Visa Waiver?
Any non-EU nationals or residents are required to fill out the ETIAS Visa Waiver form before traveling to Italy or the European Union
Any non-EU nationals from one of the following 60 nations will be required to fill out the ETIAS Visa Waiver form before traveling to the European Union.
Once you have obtained a valid ETIAS travel authorization (authorization) document, it is valid for 3 years and allows you to spend up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Non-EU nationals and passport holders may spend a total of 6 non-consecutive months separated by 180 days each year.
After 90 days within the EU borders of the Schengen zone, non-European citizens must spend 90 days outside of the Schengen countries before returning for another 90 days.
As long as you follow these “short-term stays” rules, you will have visa-free access to any of the Schengen member countries.
Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong S.A.R*, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao S.A.R*, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan**, Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela
Who does NOT need to apply for an ETIAS Visa Waiver?
The online ETIAS application form is only for citizens of countries that have a visa-free travel agreement with the European Commission and Schengen area countries
If you are planning an international flight or voyage from one of the following nations, you need not fill out the ETIAS Visa Waiver form.
Citizens of these countries are required to apply for a regular visa as an entry requirement before booking travel to any EU member state.
Citizens of such countries that have historically posed a terrorist or security threat or who do not have a visa-free travel agreement with Italy or any of the EU nations will be required to apply for a standard visa – not an ETIAS visa waiver.
The online ETIAS application form is only for citizens of countries that have a visa-free travel agreement with the European Commission and Schengen area countries.
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dem. Rep. Of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How much does it cost to get an ETIAS Visa Waiver?
The cost of the ETIAS Visa Waiver for Italy and Europe is €7 ($8 USD)
The cost of the ETIAS authorization document for non-EU citizens is €7 ($8 USD). This fee can be paid with any major credit or debit card.
How long before traveling do I need it?
Get it as soon as possible after planning your travel - to be on the safe side
Valid passport holders should submit their application for the ETIAS Visa Waiver form as soon as they know when they will be traveling.
Although the process typically takes less than 10 minutes to complete and receive via email, do not wait until you are at the airport before preparing to face the customs agents and border guards.
Border security at the internal borders of the EU Schengen area and EU member states require that all visa-free travellers (travelers), who are not EU citizens or residents have the ETIAS visa waiver with them when they are traveling.
How long does it take to get an ETIAS Visa Waiver?
It typically takes 10 minutes or less to fill out and pay for the ETIAS visa waiver
It typically takes 10 minutes or less to fill out and pay for the ETIAS visa waiver and have it emailed to the e-mail address you provide.
However, don’t delay in filling out this form, do it as early as possible before your trip to the Euro Zone.
How and where do you get an ETIAS Visa Waiver?
Simply go online to the official site, fill out a few short questions, pay and get an e-mail
Visit the Travel Europe website to fill out the form and get your waiver emailed to you within minutes – it’s that easy.
The official website is listed below.
How long does an ETIAS Visa Waiver last? When Will It Expire?
Your ETIAS Visa Waiver will be valid for 3 full years before you need to apply for it again
Once you receive your ETIAS visa waiver for your trip to Italy or any other EU nation, it is valid for the next 3 years.
Citizens of which countries require the ETIAS Visa Waiver?
If your country DOES HAVE a visa free travel agreement" with Italy or the EU, you must get the ETIAS Visa Waiver
If you are a citizen and a valid passport holder from any of the following nations, you will need to get an ETIAS visa waiver:
Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong S.A.R*, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao S.A.R*, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan**, Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela
Which countries are still required to get a regular visa and need not apply for an ETIAS Vias Waiver?
If your country DOES NOT HAVE a "visa free travel agreement" with Italy or the EU, you do not need to get the ETIAS Visa Waiver
If you are a citizen and a valid passport holder from any of the following nations you do not need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dem. Rep. Of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
*You must proceed with a standard visa.
Do EU residents need to get an ETIAS Vias Waiver?
Absolutely not.
No, if you are an EU resident or passport holder you will never need this visa waiver.
Why was the ETIAS created?
For security and more efficient entry processing at ports of entry into Italy and Europe
The simple answer for why the ETIAS visa waiver was created is “security”. This program allows the EU to keep track of visitors who are planning to visit the member nations – before they arrive.
Recap
You now know everything you need to know about the new ETIAS Italy and European visa waiver, which will now be implemented in May 2025 or later.
For any updates to this information visit the official ETIAS website:
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Author Info:
Nathan Heinrich
Nathan is a writer, designer & horticulturist. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of "All Roads Lead to Italy" Magazine & host of the Top-10 Travel Podcast, "I'm Moving To Italy!". Nathan was born and raised in a 6th generation farming family in Northern California, he is currently, a dual Italian citizen, living in the Prosecco Valley of Northern Italy, near Venice.