Starting in 2022, visa-free travellers heading to Europe will need to apply under the ‘visa waiver’ program as the continent tightens its border control.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS platform will be mandatory for all visa-free travellers, including those from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, and all other visa-waiver countries.

Costing EUR 7, travellers can apply the ETIAS online and is valid for three years. Travellers with a formal Schengen visa as well as European passport holders will not be required the ETIAS visa waiver.

The ETIAS will apply to all countries within Europe’s ‘Schengen Area’. This includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.