What is ETIAS?
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an electronic authorisation that visa-exempt travelers — Mexican citizens among them — must obtain to enter the Schengen area. It is not a visa: it is a pre-registration that strengthens border security and speeds up entry.
Who must apply
Every traveler from a visa-exempt country going to Europe for tourism, business, transit or family visits on short stays. It also applies to minors, usually free of charge.
How to apply
- Online, on the official site, in a few minutes.
- You need a valid passport and your trip details.
- A small fee applies; minors and older travelers are exempt.
- Most answers arrive in minutes, though it can take days if extra information is requested.
Validity
The authorisation is linked to your passport and allows multiple short-stay entries during its validity period. If you renew your passport, you must apply again.
Our Wandernow advice
Apply as soon as your flights are booked, never the week of departure, and check that your passport meets the validity requirement.
