ETIAS FOR ISRAELIS

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Israeli citizens may soon be required to apply for ETIAS in order to travel to the European Schengen Area. ETIAS is a new visa-free travel authorization for non-EU nationals. ETIAS, like the ESTA system in the United States and other visa waiver schemes across the world, will make visa-free travel safer.

ETIAS would strengthen external border control and make European destinations safer for Israelis and visitors from all over the world. The European Parliament and the European Commission will put in place the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to screen visa-free visitors, including Israelis, before they enter the EU.

By November 2023, the new travel authorization will be fully established. ETIAS will be required for Israeli nationals visiting the Schengen Area for vacation or business for up to 90 days.

ETIAS Required

ETIAS permits Israelis to travel to all Schengen member states from November 2023:

ETIAS Required

Non-EU Member States:

Micro-States de facto part of Schengen Area:

  • EU Schengen
  • Non-EU Schengen States
  • Non-Schengen EU States
ETIAS Required

Non-Schengen EU States

ETIAS REQUIREMENTS FOR ISRAELIS

To get started with the ETIAS application from Israel, travellers will only need a few items:

  • Israeli passport valid for the entire stay
  • Credit or debit card to pay the ETIAS fee
  • Email address to receive status updates

Israelis must apply for ETIAS and use the same passport to go to Europe. If the passport expires before the ETIAS visa waiver, a new ETIAS application must be submitted.

With ETIAS, Israeli citizens can travel to the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days each 180-day term. Israelis who do not fit the ETIAS standards or who desire to stay for more than 90 days must apply for a visa, such as a work visa, student visa, or resident visa.

HOW CAN ISRAELIS APPLY FOR AN ETIAS?

From November 2023, Israeli passport holders will be allowed to apply for ETIAS to travel Europe. The ETIAS application for Israelis is entirely online; applicants can complete the electronic application using a smartphone, laptop, or other electronic device.

Filling out the ETIAS form requires basic personal information and passport details, such as:

  • Full name
  • Date and place of birth
  • Nationality
  • Passport number
  • Passport issue and expiry date
  • Country of arrival

Israeli ETIAS applicants will also be asked security and health-related questions to ensure they are eligible for visa-free travel.

Before submitting the request, applicants pay the ETIAS fees from Israel securely online using a debit or credit card. After that, the application is automatically checked against security databases such as Europol and Interpol. Following automatic screening, the majority of requests will be approved.

If something is detected during automatic screening, the application will be evaluated manually by the ETIAS national Unit. Israeli citizens should apply for ETIAS as soon as feasible before travelling to Europe.

Most ETIAS applications from Israel are expected to be approved. However, if the applicant does not meet all of the requirements for visa-free travel, ETIAS will be denied. Israelis whose ETIAS applications are denied will be given a reason and the opportunity to appeal.

VISITING EUROPE WITH AN ETIAS FROM ISRAEL

ETIAS is not a visa, but it will be a mandatory entry requirement for Israelis visiting the Schengen Area visa-free. ETIAS will be operational from November 2023.

Without the European visa waiver for Israelis, travellers may be denied boarding a flight or other form of transport. Carriers will be held responsible for transporting travellers who do not hold a valid EU visa waiver.

The Europe visa waiver for Israeli citizens is valid for 3 years or until the passport used to apply for the ETIAS expires, whichever happens first. A new application must be submitted if the passport expires before the ETIAS. An approved ETIAS is linked to the passport number used to apply and cannot be transferred to a different document.

ETIAS FOR ISRAEL TRAVEL PURPOSES AND VALIDITY

ETIAS is valid for Israeli nationals to:

  • Stay up to 90 days per 180-day period
  • Visit any of the countries in the Schengen Area
  • Visit the Schengen Area multiple times

Israelis must leave the Schengen zone after three months in a six-month span. Israelis do not need to apply for a new travel authorization each time they visit Europe; the same authorization is valid for several visits as long as the holder meets the ETIAS conditions.

When using ETIAS to go to Europe, Israeli nationals must be aware of the numerous entry limitations on taking specified amounts of currency, tobacco, and alcohol to and from EU nations in the ETIAS zone.

ETIAS FOR ISRAELIS – FAQ

For visits of up to 90 days each 180-day period for tourist, business, or transit, Israel has a visa waiver agreement with the Schengen Area.

This means that Israelis can visit the EU without a visa:

  • Israelis can enter Europe just by presenting their current passport with no additional documentation
  • They will also need a valid ETIAS visa waiver once it becomes mandatory

Israeli nationals who want to travel to Europe for reasons other than tourism, business, or transit, or for more than 90 days per trip, must apply for a visa.

Long-term visas for Europe are issued on a country-by-country basis. If an Israeli passport holder intends to stay in a European country for more than 90 days, they must apply for a long-term visa at the embassy or consulate of the country in question.

The requirements for a European visa from Israel vary by nation, but in general, the following documents will be required:

  • A valid passport with at least 3 months remaining beyond the intended stay
  • A letter of acceptance at university for student visas
  • Additional business documentation for work visas
  • Proof of sufficient funds for residence visas
  • Additional documentation may be necessary on a case by case basis

Israeli passport holders can enter the European Union and Schengen member countries without a visa. Travelers from Israel will be allowed to apply for ETIAS to visit any Schengen country beginning in late 2023.

The ETIAS travel authorization is not a visa and is totally issued online. Filling out a short online form with personal and passport information, as well as contact information, is all that is required to apply for an ETIAS.