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ETIAS vs ESTA
ETIAS is modelled on the US ESTA: an online pre-travel authorisation for visa-waiver nationals, checked by airlines before boarding. The systems are similar but the details differ, here's a side-by-side comparison.
What they have in common
- Both are online-only authorisations, not visas
- Both are required before you board a flight
- Both are multi-year (3 years ETIAS, 2 years ESTA)
- Both allow multiple entries within validity
- Neither guarantees admission, border officers have the final say
Cost
ETIAS is €20. ESTA is $21 (raised from $14 in 2022, then $21 in 2025). Both are non-refundable.
Validity
ETIAS lasts 3 years or until your passport expires. ESTA lasts 2 years or until your passport expires. Both allow 90-day stays per visit, but ESTA stays are counted separately while ETIAS uses the 90/180 rolling window.
Processing time
Most ESTA decisions are returned within 72 hours; ETIAS aims for instant approval in most cases with a 30-day maximum. In practice, both systems usually decide in under an hour.
Who needs which
If you hold a passport from a visa-waiver country, you need ESTA to enter the US and ETIAS to enter Schengen. They are independent, having one does not exempt you from the other.
Background questions
Both ask about criminal history, prior immigration violations, and recent travel to high-risk regions. ETIAS also asks about education and occupation; ESTA asks about communicable diseases.
Frequently asked questions
Does ESTA work for travel to Europe?
No. ESTA is only for travel to the United States. You need a separate ETIAS for Europe.
Which is harder to get approved, ETIAS or ESTA?
Both have very high approval rates (above 98%). ESTA tends to be stricter on past US immigration breaches; ETIAS is stricter on EU overstays.