Dual Citizenship

An issue of concern has been raised among the US nationals over the multiple citizenship and Travel Authorization – ETIAS. Those, who plan to travel to the European Union are not sure if ETIAS will allow dual nationality.
To receive an answer, it is essential to understand WHAT ETIAS is, what’s the GOAL of it and HOW does it work.

WHAT is ETIAS?
The European Union has introduced a new entry requirement to the Schengen Area, known as European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

There are 60 nations that are allowed to travel to the EU for business or travel reasons (for the stay up to 90 days) visa-free, and by 2021 they all will be able to obtain ETIAS. The citizens of the United States will also be eligible to travel to Europe with the Travel Authorization.

ETIAS is an electronic system that will pre-screen, gather and keep track of all travelers who require no visa for crossing the EU borders. It will determine whether they can enter any country member of the Schengen Area.

ETIAS is similar to the American ESTA program and is an automated automated system, created by the European Union. Starting on December of 2021, any person from a visa-free country, entering the Schengen Zone will be required to hold a valid ETIAS Travel Authorization. It will be a mandatory requirement for all travelers over the age 18.

GOAL
The main goal of ETIAS is to make the European Union more secure.
By pre-screening travelers before they travel to Europe, the EU authorities will prevent any possible threat. Which in addition, will significantly simplify and speed up the border checks.

HOW
Obtaining the ETIAS will be easy and fast. Travelers will have to submit ETIAS application at any time prior to the travel.
Individuals will answer security questions and provide personal information. The form will include security, health and migration questions. After completing it, a traveler will have to pay a nominal fee.

The provided information will cross-check against security, borders and migration and several other databases, such as Europol and Interpol.
If the system will detect false information, the application would be denied. But once approved, the travelers would be eligible to visit the Schengen Zone. Applicants will get the approval or denial via email. The Travel Authorization will be valid for three years.

The Requirements

• To apply for ETIAS the citizen of the US must have a valid passport
• To pay for the ETIAS application fee, individuals must have credit/debit card
• To receive the status and notifications of the ETIAS application, applicants must have a valid email address.

It is important to double check the ETIAS application before submitting it.

Check also our FAQs providing answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the ETIAS program.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP and ETIAS
There is a common misconception on how dual citizenship and ETIAS will work together.
The travelers with dual citizenships, can obtain ETIAS. But note that, as the regulations for the multiple citizenships varies, you need to check beforehand whether you need ETIAS.

As a matter of fact, if you are a citizen of the United States and your second citizenship is of one of the country members of the Schengen Zone, you can travel to any European country without obtaining ETIAS. But if your dual citizenship is with the country like Thailand, then you will be required to have ETIAS authorization.

Check it with the United Kingdom and Ireland, as they are not part of the ETIAS program. It has to be noted that, those who require a visa for the EU, go through complex procedure, comparing to the ETIAS authorization.

The visitors have to fill out the ETIAS form with only one valid passport. Those who are holder of two passports that are non-EU, would have to choose one valid passport that will be presented upon arrival to Europe.

COUNTRIES ALLOWING DUAL CITIZENSHIP:

In conclusion, if you are the citizen of the United States and a holder of the passport of one of the countries that are a member of the Schengen Area, you will not have to obtain ETIAS.

Those who are not eligible for the ETIAS visa  are required to apply for another EU-visa like the Schengen visa.

See also: Education in Europe