Apparently yes, ETIAS should be enough to be able to enter Schengen space when traveling to any of their member States, and if you are citizen of any of the visa-exempt countries. You will have to have the authorization to travel ETIAS before starting your trip, or have paid any other trip related service. Nevertheless, holding an approved ETIAS form will not guarantee your successful entrance to your destination. But then… what is missing?

There are some other entry conditions that need to be met in order to cross the Schengen space borders. First you will be checked by the border agents and will review your ETIAS application, and in addition to that guards may as some additional information to be provided such as:

• What is the reason of your visit.
• How much time will you stay in a member State.
• What means you carry to support your trip.

They will also check on the validity of your travel document to make sure it is good for at least three months since the date of your intended departure, and not issued more than 10 years ago, although passports are not usually valid more than that. The authorities will also conduct a thorough check up of the travel document looking for possible signs of counterfeiting, and then determine whether the traveler could be a threat for public security.

At this time is when the Exit-Entry System (EES) come into effect and your details will stay registered, replacing the usual stamping in your passport pages. The system will save all details such us time and airport of entry, as well as store your facial image and fingerprints. Traveler that do not meet all these entry conditions will be denied entry, unless an exception provided by the law applies.

Once you have been accepted for entry in any of the countries requiring ETIAS, you will be able to move freely within all the member States since there are no borders between them. You will only need to pay close attention to maximum stay of 90 days in any 180-day period of time. Careful!! it is NOT three months as it may seem. Count the total days of your visit and make sure you do not exceed the limit!