ETIAS FOR ISRAELIS

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

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 ISRAELIS – FAQ