Stopovers in the Schengen area: is ETIAS compulsory?

Yes, if you are transiting through a Schengen country, you need an ETIAS travel authorization, unless you already have a valid visa. This rule applies to all visa-exempt travelers, regardless of the reason for your visit or the duration of your stay.

ETIAS also authorizes transits

ETIAS is not just for tourists or business travelers. Stopovers and transits are among the cases expressly covered by this electronic authorization. It therefore allows entry into the Schengen zone for a few hours or a short connection, without the need for a conventional visa.

Declare a transit at the time of application

When you fill in the ETIAS form online, you are asked a question:

“Is your trip to Europe a transit to another country?”

For stopovers, answer YES. In this case, you won’t need to give a home address, but you will still need to provide emergency contacts in Europe or elsewhere.

ETIAS price for a stopover

Whether for a full stay or just airport transit, the ETIAS fee remains the same: €7. This fee applies to each application and must be paid online when submitting the form.