Hey folks, I’m from India and I always have to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Europe for my trekking trips. I’ve been reading about ETIAS launching in 2025, and I’m confused. Will it replace the visa requirement for people like me who need one now, or do we still have to go through the full visa process? Any insights? Thanks!
Hey, @raj_explore this confuses a lot of people, so you’re not alone 
Short answer: ETIAS will NOT replace the Schengen visa for Indian passport holders.
-
ETIAS is not a visa - it’s a pre-travel authorisation for people who are already visa-exempt (like US, Canada, Japan, etc.).
-
If you currently need a Schengen visa (like Indian citizens do), you will still need to apply for a normal Schengen visa even after ETIAS starts.
-
ETIAS will apply to those who don’t need a visa today - they’ll have to fill an online form and pay a small fee before travel, but that’s separate from the visa system.
So for your future trekking trips: it’s still the usual Category C Schengen visa route, at least under the current rules.