The EU Travel Information Authorization System (ETIAS) should be ready by the beginning of the year 2020. In a few years this will not affect you if you want to spend a holiday in Portugal in the next months or coming summer. ETIAS is introduced to improve security in Europe which has suffered many terrorist attacks in recent years. Until now, many holders of non-EU passports have been able to come to Europe without a visa. All they need to do is to report to the airport or cross a land border and show their passport. This will change with ETIAS as these visitors will have to apply online at least 72 hours before the trip to enter the Schengen area. The authorization is not quite like a visa and looks more like the US ESTA, which is a visa waiver. It should be relatively simple and will cost only € 5 and will be free for under 18s.
Is Portugal in Schengen or in the EU? What is the difference?
Portugal is both in the Schengen area and in the EU The two groups overlap with most of the European countries that are members of both. The Schengen Agreement regulates immigration and border regulations, while the EU covers many more aspects, including trade, customs and environmental regulations. The Schengen rules allow the free movement of Schengen nationals within the zone and are also uniform for holders of non-Schengen and non-EU passports. This means that if you apply for a Schengen visa, it will be valid for 90 days in all Schengen countries.
All non-EU nationals do not need Schengen visas. About 60 countries, including countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Canada, Mexico and many Caribbean island states are on a list whose citizens do not need a visa. It is the nationals of these countries who will have to apply for ETIAS when it enters into force.
Why visit Portugal?
There are many reasons why Portugal remains such a popular place to visit. Its appeal is that it is a destination all year round. Many people choose to spend the winter on the Portuguese coast of the Algarve where it is much warmer and softer than many places in Northern Europe. It's even hotter in the summer when miles of golden beaches and seaside attractions are often crowded.
Due to the north-south orientation of Portugal, the climate and landscape are quite varied. Green mountains to the north, covered with vines through the rocky mountains in the center of the desert like the Alentejo region to the soft south.
You can also visit the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores, which are in the Atlantic Ocean
Do I need a Portugal ETIAS?
Not if you are a national of an EU country or the Schengen area, because you can go to Portugal as long as you want. If you are not a national of any of the countries mentioned above, you should check to see which is your entry list in the Schengen area. There are two lists of countries. A list is of all countries whose citizens do not need a visa in advance for a maximum stay of 90 days in the whole Schengen area. These are the people who will need to apply for ETIAS authorization in the future. The other list concerns the rest of the world whose citizens must apply for a Schengen visa in advance. These people will not be affected by the introduction of Portugal ETIAS.