ETIAS Visa Waiver for Romania

ETIAS is a new travel document for Europe. You’ll need ETIAS to travel to Romania if you’re from a visa-exempt third country.

ETIAS—The European Travel Information and Authorisation System—will be used by Romania and all Schengen Area countries. ETIAS goes live in 2025.

You can apply for ETIAS Romania quickly and easily online.

This page explains:

  • Who needs ETIAS
  • ETIAS requirements
  • How to apply
  • Travel information

Romania: future Schengen member

Romania has been part of the European Union since 2007. After years of waiting for approval, the country is now set to become a member of the Schengen Area.

The nation is in the process of joining the borderless Schengen zone. From March 31, 2024, air and sea travel between Romania and other Schengen countries will no longer involve border checks.

The final step of opening land borders is pending a final decision from EU ministers. It is expected that Romania will be fully integrated into the Schengen Area by the end of 2024.

Whether Romania is a full Schengen member or not, the new ETIAS travel authorisation will be applied to its immigration policy. Visitors will need a valid ETIAS to travel to Romania.

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Who needs ETIAS to travel to Romania?

The ETIAS for Romania will be mandatory for travellers from visa waiver countries. There are over 50 non-EU nations who can currently travel to the Schengen Area without a visa—accounting for 1 in 5 people globally.

If you’re from a visa-exempt country for the Schengen Area, you can still travel visa-free, but you must register with ETIAS.

If you’re not from a visa-exempt country, you cannot apply for ETIAS for Romania. You must apply for a visa instead.

ETIAS for Romania: key facts

Here are 5 key facts to help you understand ETIAS for Romania.

1. ETIAS for Romania is not live yet

The system is expected to be operational from 2025. You’ll need to apply for ETIAS once ETIAS has been implemented across the Schengen Area.

2. ETIAS is a visa waiver for Romania

ETIAS is a visa waiver, it is not a visa. ETIAS is similar to the ESTA for the United States or Canadian eTA. It is used to make visa-free travel safer.

3. ETIAS Romania is for tourism, business, and short study

You can travel to Romania with ETIAS if the purpose of your visit is a holiday, business activities such as meetings, or study. In all cases, your total stay must not exceed 90 days per 180-day period.

4. ETIAS for Romania is valid for 3 years

You do not need to apply for ETIAS every time you travel to the Schengen Area. ETIAS is valid for up to 3 years (provided your passport remains valid) and multiple trips.

5. ETIAS is valid across the Schengen Area

You can use the same ETIAS to travel to any of the countries where Schengen visa policy applies. As well as Romania, this includes neighbouring countries Bulgaria and Hungary.

Documents you need to get the Romania ETIAS

You can apply for an ETIAS visa waiver for Romania providing you meet the ETIAS requirements. All applicants must have:

  • Passport from an eligible country
  • Valid email address
  • Credit or debit card

You'll receive all correspondence—including the approved ETIAS Romania authorisation—by email. An active payment card is needed to pay the ETIAS processing fee.

Passport conditions for ETIAS Romania

Your passport must be issued by one of the 50+ ETIAS eligible countries.

The visa waiver is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport. You must use the same passport to apply for the ETIAS Romania and to enter the Schengen Area.

Using a different passport will mean that you do not have a valid ETIAS.

How can I apply for Romania ETIAS?

You can request the ETIAS visa waiver for Romania by completing a simple online application form. It takes around 10 minutes to fill out. You need to provide your:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Country of citizenship
  • Current address
  • Phone number
  • Email address

There are also some security questions about criminal records, travel to conflict zones, and recent returns decisions.

How are ETIAS applications for Romania processed?

When you apply for ETIAS, your information is cross-referenced with several international security databases. This is to make sure you do not pose a threat to the EU.

The main databases it checks include:

  • SIS II (Schengen Information System): information sharing system for security and border management in Europe.
  • VIS (Visa Information System): Schengen countries exchange visa data, primarily focused on short-stay visas.
  • EUROPOL Data: the European Union's law enforcement agency's database. It contains information about known criminals, terrorists, and other security threats.
  • INTERPOL's databases: the International Criminal Police Organization, maintains databases of stolen and lost travel documents, internationally wanted persons, and more.

In most cases there will not be any hits in the system and the application will be processed almost immediately.

If an alert is raised, the responsible ETIAS National Unit will manually review the application. Additional documentation or an interview could be requested in a small number of cases.

Travelling to Romania with ETIAS

It will be easy and convenient to travel to Romania with ETIAS. Passengers will simply need to show their passport with the valid ETIAS, which will be scanned and validated at immigration.

ETIAS will be valid for use at all Romanian air, land, and sea points of entry. The most common way to travel to Romania is by plane. Some major Romanian airports include:

  • Henri Coandă Airport – Bucharest
  • Avram Iancu Cluj Airport – Cluj-Napoca
  • Traian Vuia Airport – Timişoara

Make sure you plan your stay in the Schengen Area within the 90-day limit.