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New requirements to travel to Europe

ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity

Learn about when to request an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity and what implications it has for your travel.

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When to request an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity

You may request an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity if you fulfil both of the following conditions:

1) you need to travel due to humanitarian reasons or in order to fulfil important obligations

2) you expect that your ETIAS application may not be accepted or your authorisation has already been refused, annulled, or revoked.

The decision to issue an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity is lies exclusively with the authorities of the countries requiring ETIAS. Some examples of the circumstances they may take into account when considering such request include:

  • life-threatening illness of the applicant or close relatives
  • the applicant’s wish to attend the funeral of their ascending or descending family member
  • urgent medical cases
  • participation in inter-governmental conferences
  • an obligation to appear in court
  • granting of rights of transit with temporary stay

What does an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity allow you to do

Unlike a standard ETIAS travel authorisation, an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity does not allow you to travel to all the 30 European countries requiring ETIAS, but only to those that are explicitly defined in your travel authorisation.

The length of an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity is decided by the national authorities and can be up to a maximum of 90 days from the moment you enter the countries for which it was issued. You can use it for multiple entries.

How to request an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity

You can request an ETIAS with limited validity after you have submitted an application for an ETIAS travel authorisation. In your request, you will need to provide the reasons why you are applying – on humanitarian grounds or due to important obligations – and specify the countries you need to travel to.

The authorities of the country you intend to travel to may request you to provide additional information or documentation before your request can be processed.

What happens next

You will receive an email informing you about the outcome of your request.

If you are granted an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity, the email will indicate the start and the end date of the authorisation and the countries which you are authorised to travel to.

If your request is refused, you will have the right to appeal.

Please remember that an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity only allows you to enter the territory of the specific countries for which it has been issued.

Your ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity will expire if you are issued a new ETIAS travel authorisation valid for all European countries requiring ETIAS.