Important info for UK visitors to the Schengen zone which includes Greece

[turkeyfoot]

Hi
I was not going to post this until next year, but reading on other forums about the confusion and concern caused I decided to do so now.

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a form of electronic travel authorisation, also known as a visa waiver. Currently from November 2023, non-EU visitors travelling to the Schengen Area without a visa will be able to obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation. This date may change as it has previously. It was originally June. In fact the Entry-Exit System (europa.eu) web page says May 2023 although the page is not dated.
Currently, travelers who travel to the Schengen zone have to go through the manual stamping of passports. However, this system is no longer adequate as it is time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings, and does not allow a systematic detection of travelers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorized stay.
As soon as the new system start being operational, the authorities will put self-service devices at airports. These devices will be used to scan airports, faces, and fingerprints.
Similarly, land borders will get gates where people will be able to scan their documents and face and register their entry or exit into the EU.

How long does it take to get an ETIAS?
The ETIAS application for UK citizens can be completed quickly in just 10-15 minutes. As long as all the information provided is accurate and correct, British citizens can expect their ETIAS application to normally be processed and approved within minutes, and the authorisation is sent by email in the form of a PDF document. There is no need to print or present any documents as the ETIAS is stored electronically against the passport details stored in the European Immigration system.

ETIAS App How much does it cost to apply for ETIAS
•   The cost of ETIAS is projected to be 7 EUR, payable by credit or debit card.
•   Please note that only applicants between the ages of 18-70 are liable for ETIAS fees.

Application Advice
   Submit application at least 96 hours before departure
   If denied for an ETIAS, travellers can still apply for full visitor visa
   An ETIAS does not guarantee entry to Europe as the final decision is made by the border security personnel of the European country of arrival.

WHAT IS ETIAS FOR?
ETIAS is designed to improve security in Europe by screening travellers who do not need a visa before their arrival in the Schengen Area. The ETIAS process will determine whether a citizen can enter the Schengen Area visa-free or not.
To obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation, it will be necessary to complete a straightforward online application form. Applicants have to enter their personal details such as their name, date of birth and address, information about their trip, as well as some security questions.
By cross-checking information against various databases, ETIAS will be able to detect if a person is a security threat to any of the Schengen countries.
ETIAS will become operational in late 2023, according to official EU sources. May change.
To successfully apply for an ETIAS visa waiver, it is necessary to have a valid e-passport that is machine readable, a credit or debit card, and an email account. These are the main ETIAS requirements which each applicant must have. Without the right travel document, the applicant could be denied entry to the Schengen zone.
The ETIAS travel authorisation allows for short-term stays of up to 90 days. Tourism and business travellers will be expected to have an approved ETIAS when going to any part of the Schengen Area.
Once approved, an ETIAS travel authorisation can be used for 3 consecutive years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
ETIAS application process
Important: ETIAS is not a visa, but a visa waiver, which means this travel document is meant to be a special travel permit or authorisation for all current visa-free countries as of November 2023. Date may change.

1.   Apply for ETIAS
Eligible travellers will need to apply for ETIAS before departure. ETIAS will be required to enter the Schengen Area visa-free from a third country.
2.   Complete the ETIAS form
Personal information, passport details, and health and security information will be required to complete the electronic ETIAS application form.
3.   Pay the ETIAS fees
Travellers will pay the ETIAS processing fee securely online by debit or credit card to finalise their application.
4.   ETIAS processing
ETIAS applications are automatically screened against EU security databases. Most will be approved at this stage, others may require manual processing.
5.   Application decision
An ETIAS success rate of more than 95% is expected. Applicants will be notified by email when a decision has been reached. ETIAS approval is required to travel.
6.   Verification when boarding
ETIAS will be checked when boarding international transport bound for Europe. Travellers will not be allowed to board a plane, ferry, or coach without a valid ETIAS.
7.   Arrival in the EU
Schengen border guards will verify each traveller’s ETIAS and other travel documents. European officials decide whether to grant entry.
8.   Visit Europe with ETIAS
ETIAS holders can enjoy up to 90 days in Europe in any 180-day period. It is valid for tourism, business, and transit in all Schengen Area countries.

Approving or refusing the travel authorisation
On rare occasions, an ETIAS application may not be approved.
The system will screen all applications against security databases which include an ETIAS watch list, Interpol and Europol. During this screening process, red flags that have been raised about certain travellers will be activated.
If there are discrepancies in the information provided by the applicant, ETIAS will likely be refused.
It is important to note that the ETIAS system is being developed to improve Europe’s border security. The objective is to identify individuals that may pose a threat, not to disrupt travel to the region. In fact, ETIAS is meant to provide a better travel experience for all third-country nationals who are visiting the EU member countries.

Reasons for ETIAS denial
An ETIAS travel authorisation could be denied for various reasons. Before applying, travellers should make sure they have a valid passport.
Please note the following reasons that could result in the ETIAS visa waiver being refused:
•   The applicant’s passport is not valid
•   The passport used on the ETIAS application was reported lost or stolen
•   The applicant’s name appears on the ETIAS Watchlist
The information that an applicant provides on the ETIAS registration form should be truthful, verifiable and up to date. Europe’s security systems will discover if travellers have lied on their application.

ETIAS Revoked
It is also possible that a traveller’s application is approved, and later revoked. This could occur if:
•   ETIAS was obtained in a fraudulent way such as giving false personal details or omitting criminal or medical background details.
•   If the traveller’s details no longer adhere to their current status. For instance, if there has been a change of residency and has not been updated or notified
•   If it is discovered that the citizen previously overstayed the allotted time by a Schengen member state
•   The visitor’s passport is reported lost or stolen

What to do if ETIAS is denied
•   If an ETIAS online application is denied, the applicant will have the right to appeal.
•   Appeals will be made to the individual Schengen member state that was indicated as the first port of entry, and the decision will be made in accordance with the laws of that country.
•   In these cases, applicants will be kept informed about the appeal process. If the appeal is not successful and the applicant believes their treatment has not been fair, they will have the right to request information from the national authority regarding the reasons for their visa denial and seek an amendment.

Does having a criminal record affect your ETIAS application?
•   The short answer to this question is “Yes.” Having a criminal record will affect your ETIAS application, because the point of ETIAS is to screen for the entry of people with a criminal history. While those with criminal backgrounds are not automatically denied an ETIAS, they are more likely to have their application come under scrutiny, which could result in delayed processing times.
•   Ultimately, entry to the Schengen area is predicated on a person being judged not to present a risk to the zone in terms of criminality or terrorism. If you have a criminal background, and the offense for which you were criminally charged was a non-violent one, or if it was a long time ago, or if there are mitigating circumstances, you likely will not face barriers to entering the zone. However, if you are judged to present a risk, you likely will be denied entry. 
•   If possible, would-be ETIAS applicants with criminal history should apply earlier than applicants without such a history, in order to ensure that they receive their ETIAS in time to travel.

How to apply for ETIAS?
•   Unlike a traditional visa, how to apply for ETIAS does not depend either on where you are located or where you are traveling to in the Schengen area.
•   When ETIAS becomes operational, applicants will simply download the app or access the online website. Once they do, they will follow the application instructions, which includes the following steps:
o   1. Pay the ETIAS application fee (i.e. entering their credit/debit card information when prompted, in order to pay the 7 EUR fee).
o   2. Fill out the online application.
   Filling out the online ETIAS application entails answering questions about yourself (including basic biographical information like your complete name, date of birth, and nationality) your travel info (where you are going, where you have gone previously—including whether you have ever gone to any “dangerous” countries or had any previous visa issues.
   In addition to inputting required info, you will also be asked to submit your passport number and other passport information.
.  3. Submit your application.
o   After you submit your application, it is sent immediately to be screened by a variety of security services. These systems will scrutinise your application to see if you are identified in any security databases (such as having a criminal or terrorist record, for example).
o   Those who have never been convicted of a crime or who are not on any sort of terrorist watch list will be immediately approved for ETIAS (and will receive their ETIAS—in their email—in under 10 minutes).
o   Those who have a criminal history or who are otherwise flagged by the system will find their application subjected to more intense scrutiny. Instead of taking minutes, this process could take hours, or even days or weeks.

Geoff