Beginning in late 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) application – a mandatory electronic pre-travel screening for visa-exempt travellers visiting 30 European countries for short stays – will require travellers to disclose any criminal convictions.

The ETIAS application will ask questions about general information such as name and address, passport details, details about your level of education and current occupation, and details of European countries being visited. You will also be asked about any past immigration violations, such as visa overstays or deportations, and any travel to specific war or conflict zones.

All applicants will also be asked the following question regarding prior criminal offences:

“Have you been convicted of any criminal offence listed in the Annex over the previous 10 years and in the case of terrorist offences, over the previous 20 years, and if so when and in which country?”

Criminal offences

Travellers can find the full list of reportable criminal offences in the Annex. The following most serious offences include:

• sexual assault
• drug trafficking
• corruption and fraud
• money laundering
• sexual exploitation of children
• forgery and counterfeiting
• murder and grievous bodily harm 

How is your information checked?

ETIAS automatically screens applicants across several EU security databases. These may include:

• EURODAC– EU fingerprint database
• EUROPOL– EU agency for law enforcement co-operation
• SLTD– INTERPOL stolen and lost travel documents database
• SIS– Schengen Information System
• VIS– Visa Information System
• ECRIS– European Criminal Records Information System

If a match is found between an applicant and information on any of the databases, the application will be “flagged” for manual inspection, as will any ETIAS application in which the applicant has answered YES to the question about previous criminal convictions.

Flagged applications will be passed to a “National Unit” in the relevant EU country for manual processing. This is done to assess any risk an applicant may pose.

What if you have a criminal record?

A criminal record does not automatically ban entry. The decision to grant travel authorization is likely to depend on the seriousness of any previous convictions; minor convictions are unlikely to result in denial.

If your ETIAS application is denied, you may need to apply for a traditional visa to a specific European country.

What happens if you are denied because of your criminal record?

If your ETIAS application is denied, you will receive an email informing you of the reasons, the authority that made the decision, and instructions on how to appeal the decision.

The Entry/Exit System (EES)

While ETIAS is an electronic pre-travel screening, EES is the system used at the border to verify your identity and primarily tracks entries/exits of non-EU nationals, but its data is also connected to security databases. It works with ETIAS to identify security threats.

More information and help

A criminal record will affect your ability to be approved for travel to Europe. For information on removing your criminal record, visit Criminal Records, Pardons & USA Entry Visas.

To erase your criminal record, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.

For more information on the ETIAS application, refer to the EU website here.

								
You now have 3 options:
								

									
More answers about UK & Europe Travel and Immigration
									
Master List: 2,500 Legal Answers
																													
																		
Government Links