What is ETIAS?
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an electronic travel authorisation introduced by the European Union for nationals of non-EU countries who may enter the Schengen Area without a visa.
It is not a visa, but a short online authorisation required before travelling for tourism, business or transit purposes.
Most importantly: ETIAS does not apply to citizens of the European Union.
Travelling with a Polish passport
Persons holding Polish citizenship – regardless of whether they also hold another citizenship – are treated as citizens of the European Union.
This means:
- no obligation to obtain ETIAS,
- the right to move freely throughout the EU,
- no passport control at the borders between Schengen Area countries,
- the right to live, work and study in any EU Member State.
To exercise these rights, the traveller should present a Polish passport when entering the EU. If a person with dual citizenship presents the passport of a third country, they will be treated as a foreign national – which may mean that they are required to hold ETIAS or a visa.
Travelling without an EU passport
Persons who do not hold citizenship of any EU Member State are subject to the entry rules applicable to third-country nationals.
In practice, this means:
- the need to obtain ETIAS if their country is visa-exempt,
- the need to obtain a Schengen visa if their country is not covered by visa-free travel,
- the obligation to undergo border control when entering the EU,
- a limit of 90 days of stay within any 180-day period,
- no right to work or reside long-term on the basis of ETIAS.
ETIAS does not grant the right to work, reside or stay for an extended period – it is solely an authorisation for short-term travel.
Key differences
Polish passport: full freedom of travel, no ETIAS, no visas, right to live and work in the EU.
No EU passport: ETIAS or visa, border control, limited stay, no right to work.