The ETIAS Profile: 4 Non-Schengen Countries That Allow ETIAS Visa Waivers

The European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS for short, is a visa waiver that allows entrance to 26 countries across Europe. While this authorization will still grant access to European countries that are part of the Schengen agreement, there are a few countries that will be added to the ETIAS scheme by 2021. 

The Schengen agreement was made so that nationals of these countries could cross borders for the trading of goods or migrating from their country to another without the hassle. It is important to note that not all EU members are part of this agreement, and not all Schengen countries are part of the EU. 

So before heading on that cross country trip through Europe by 2021, you have to know which borders you’re allowed to cross with this visa waiver. Here are the 4 non-Schengen areas that the ETIAS visa waiver covers.

 

The 4 Non-Schengen Countries that Will Be Part of the ETIAS Scheme

 

1. Croatia

Croatia is located in central Europe on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The nearest ETIAS countries around it are Hungary, which is in the northeast, and Montenegro to its southeast. Croatia is on its way to officially be part of the Schengen agreement, meeting all technical conditions to join these areas. 

With its scenic ocean views and beautiful historical sites, this country may be familiar to fans of the hit HBO series Game of Thrones, where the country’s capital and surrounding cities were used as one of its main settings, King’s Landing.   

Quick Facts

• Capital: Zagreb
• Official Language: Croatian
• Currency‎: Kuna (HKR)

Places to See in Croatia

• Diocletian’s Palace, Split
• Rector’s Palace, Dubrovnik
• Plitvice Lakes, Zagreb

2. Romania

Romania is located near east-central Europe, with Hungary being the nearest Schengen country to it. It is a sovereign state and part of the European Union. And while it still isn’t part of the Schengen agreement, it is set to become a member, thus the ETIAS scheme.

This destination is less known to international tourists and is mostly visited by other European citizens. Interested travelers would know this as the country famous for the tales of Dracula, with Transylvania being part of its many regions. Bran Castle, situated atop a cliff, is most associated with this legend.

Quick Facts

• Capital: Bucharest
• Official Language: Romanian
• Currency‎: Romanian leu

Places to See in Romania

• Bran Castle, Transylvania
• Clock Tower, Sighișoara
• Corvin Castle, Hunedoara

3. Bulgaria

Located in Southeast Europe, Bulgaria has one neighboring Schengen country: Greece. It is also close to Romania, which is north to this country. Joining the EU in 2007, Bulgaria is expected to be part of the Schengen agreement soon.

This Balkan nation is a melting pot of cultures with Greek, Ottoman, Slavic, and Persian influences around the country. Bulgaria is also known for being the Land of Roses, with the town of Kazanlak producing 85 percent of the world’s rose oil. It is also very diverse in mountains and terrains.

Quick Facts

• Capital: Sofia
• Official Language: Bulgarian
• Currency‎: Bulgarian lev

Places to See in Bulgaria

• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia
• Seven Rila Lakes, Rila Mountains
• Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak

4. Cyprus 

Being the third largest Mediterranean island, Cyprus lies 480 miles southeast of mainland Greece. This island had recently become a member of the EU in 2004, and will soon follow the Schengen Agreement by the time ETIAS is fully implemented.

Cyprus rarely meets other weather conditions other than sunny, shining an estimated 300 days per year. This makes it an ideal beach destination in the summer.

Quick Facts

• Capital: Nicosia
• Official Language: Greek, Turkish
• Currency‎: Euro

Places to See in Cyprus

• Tombs of the Kings, Chloraka
• Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa
• Cape Greco, Ayia Napa

 

Because these countries opt to be part of the ETIAS scheme, they will all soon be part of the Schengen agreement. So by 2021, you can very well put these 4 countries in your itinerary. The ETIAS countries will comprise of 26 countries, all of which you can visit for 90 days. 

ALSO READ: EU Schengen – Complete Information and New Policy Updates

With ETIAS soon to be implemented for visa-exempt countries to improve European borders, there will be some extra steps taken to travel across Europe. Etiasvisaschengen.com is a visa assistance service that makes European travels simpler by taking care of all your document requirements needed to travel to the ETIAS-approved countries. Contact Us now and let us assist you with your trip.

Visit our news page regularly for more informative content.

The post The ETIAS Profile: 4 Non-Schengen Countries That Allow ETIAS Visa Waivers appeared first on ETIAS VISA Schengen.

Article source here: The ETIAS Profile: 4 Non-Schengen Countries That Allow ETIAS Visa Waivers

Quick Facts About the ETIAS Countries in Europe that You Can Visit in 2021

If you’re planning a trip to Europe anytime soon, then you’ve probably heard that by 2021, there will be a new visa waiver for you to apply for. The European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS is an authorization that grants entry for visa-exempt nationals in Schengen countries for a period of 90 days. So instead of visiting one country, you can visit different countries all on one trip with this visa waiver. But hold on. Not all countries are part of the Schengen area, which means this waiver isn’t necessarily an all-access pass to the entirety of Europe. 

Before you start picking what sites to see, you need to know the countries covered by ETIAS to know where you’re allowed entry. Here is a list of ETIAS-covered countries and a couple of facts about the places you could visit.

 

ETIAS Map: A Quick Tour through the European Countries to Visit in 2021

 

22 European Union Schengen Countries

There are currently 22 EU countries that are part of the ETIAS-required countries, all of which are most frequently visited by tourists. Here is a quick look into these countries and the region of Europe that you can find them in.

Northern Europe

• Countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden
• Diverse in nature, climate, and vegetation, Northern Europe generally has a high quality of living. 
• Low population densities, urbanization is booming

Unique Places to Check Out

• • Malmo, Sweden
    • A city with a mix of old and new 
    • Filled with cafes, fashionable bars, and Dutch Renaissance buildings
  • Faroe Islands, Denmark
    • Volcanic islands part of Denmark connected by road tunnels, bridges, and causeways, 40 percent of the population is a self-governing territory.
    • Ideal for hiking and birdwatching
  • Lapland, Finland
    • A snowy region that is known for skiing and the infamous Ice Hotel
    • Perfect place to catch a glimpse of the Northern lights

Southern Europe

• Countries:  Italy, Greece, Malta, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia
• Also known as Mediterranean Europe 
• The Romance languages are spoken here–Italian, Spanish, and Greek being the most widely used

Most Popular Places to Visit

• • Barcelona, Spain
    • The second-largest city in Spain known for its charm and rich culture
    • Features stunning architecture and several historical attractions 
  • Rome, Italy
    • One of the most visited places in Europe by tourists
    • Full of history with the Roman Colosseum standing as a UNESCO Heritage
  • Santorini, Greece
    • A volcano island more than 120 miles away from mainland Greece
    • Known for its amazing views and has become a popular destination wedding venue of choice. 

Eastern Europe

• Countries:  Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia
• This is a part of Europe that is very diverse in cultures, languages, and ethnicities and rich in history.

Popular Destinations of the Region

• • Prague, Czech Republic
    • A picturesque city shrouded in mystery, dark history, and breathtaking architecture
    • The Prague castle is a famous destination for tourists year-round
  • Budapest, Hungary
    • The capital city of Hungary known for its commercial and cultural charm
    • Thermal baths and nightclubs (optional) are a must-try in the city

Western Europe

• Countries: Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, France
• A region with high living standards, a successful tourist trade, and rich agriculture

Must-See Underrated Destinations 

• • Rugen Island, Germany
    • Island in the Baltic Sea filled with romantic seaside resorts and beautiful beaches
    • Known for the Jasmund National Park, a chalk cliff 528 feet over the sea
  • Annecy, France
    • Also called “Pearl of the French Alps”
    • Skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer
  • Vianden, Luxembourg
    • Home to the Vianden Castle near the River Our
    • The Victor Hugo museum is located here

4 Non-EU Schengen Countries

These 4 countries are not part of the European Union but are included in the countries you can visit with ETIAS.

• Iceland
  • Known as the “Land of Fire and Ice,” this country born from volcanic eruptions is known for its glaciers and majestic nature of both greenery and ice
• Liechtenstein
  • A small country filled with castle tourist spots, mimicking a fairytale-like ambiance   
• Norway
  • Scandinavian Country that is known for its Viking history, interesting historical architecture, and breathtaking landscapes
• Switzerland
  • A mountainous country rich in beautiful natural attractions and peaceful cities and villages 

3 Micro-States part of the Schengen Area

The 3 Micro-states that are de facto part of the Schengen area can be found within some of the European countries above.

• Monaco
  • An independent state in France filled with upscale modern institutions such as casinos and yacht harbors
• San Marino
  • A mountainous state within Italy that is part of the world’s oldest republics, keeping many of its historic sites
• Vatican City
  • This is the Roman Catholic headquarters ran by Rome and home to the Pope

Travel Guide on European Countries that ETIAS Doesn’t Cover

Places that weren’t listed in the ETIAS Countries list above have different requirements to be filled, so make sure you don’t cross their borders on your trip. 

Here is a list of countries you probably know that have different visa requirements.

• United Kingdom
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Ireland
• Romania

 

With the ETIAS soon to be implemented in 2021, it is important to know where you can and cannot go so that you don’t overstep boundaries. It can also help you set up your ideal itinerary of places to visit and sites to see to make the most of your 90-day stay. And if you can’t get the opportunity to see them all in one go, you can always save them for the next trip.

ALSO READ: Places to Visit in France and the Eiffel Tower isn’t One of Them!

If you have some inquiries about ETIAS that you want to be answered directly, then

Etiasvisaschengen.com is an independent platform that can help you understand its fundamentals. This company also provides visa waiver assistance service that can guide you through the process by the time it is implemented in 2021. Contact us directly for inquiries and other visa-related services we offer.

Found this helpful? Visit our news page for similar informative content.

The post Quick Facts About the ETIAS Countries in Europe that You Can Visit in 2021 appeared first on ETIAS VISA Schengen.

Article source here: Quick Facts About the ETIAS Countries in Europe that You Can Visit in 2021