Thais still need visa to enter Schengen and EU countries - Foreign Ministry

The Thai Foreign Ministry has refuted a viral online report claiming that Thai nationals entering Europe, including Schengen countries, will be exempt from submitting visa applications under a new pre-travel authorisation system.

Thai citizens are still required to apply for a visa and Thailand is not included in the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is expected to be launched after the Entry-Exit System (EES) pilot begins in October this year.

Citing information from the Thai Embassy in Brussels, the ministry advises travellers to verify information with the relevant embassy before travelling.

In recent days, reports circulating on social media and travel pages have claimed that Thailand would soon be exempt from Schengen visa requirements, and that Thai citizens would be able to apply for travel authorisation online, via the ETIAS system, by the end of 2025.

The Thai Embassy in Brussels reiterates that Thai citizens are still required to obtain a visa through the standard application process.

ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation system specifically for citizens of countries which are already exempt from EU visa requirements, which currently does not include Thailand.

In addition to ETIAS, the European Union is developing the Entry-Exit System (EES), which will collect biometric data (such as facial images and fingerprints) and record entry and exit points, replacing manual passport stamping at borders.

This system will apply to non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area for short stays.

The EU is expected to begin testing the EES in October. ETIAS will be implemented once the EES is fully operational.