ETIAS, the new travel authorisation for Europe, will enter into operation in 2025.
The ETIAS regulation was passed in 2018 and the visa waiver system is now under development. The European Commission, eu-LISA and Member States will work together on its implementation.
The revised timeline moving the start date back to 2025 was agreed on by the Justice and Home Affairs Council in October 2023.
Why has ETIAS for Europe been delayed?
The implementation of ETIAS has been delayed a number of times.
The latest revision to the timeline will ensure successful interoperability between ETIAS and other components such as the Entry-Exit System (EES). EES is expected to be operational by 2025.
Pushing the ETIAS start date back will also allow those involved time to adapt to the new border policy. This includes travellers from non-EU countries who will need to apply for ETIAS and Schengen border control authorities.
Once implemented, ETIAS will benefit EU nationals and tourists by improving border management and increasing security.
The ETIAS implementation period
ETIAS will be operational from 2025 but will not be mandatory immediately. There will be an implementation period lasting a total of 12 months.
The first 6 months will be a transitional period during which time travellers will not be turned away if they do not hold ETIAS.
The second 6 months will be a grace period during which time travellers without ETIAS will not be turned away providing it’s the first time they have crossed the border since the end of the transitional period.
Travellers must have a valid passport and meet all the other entry conditions.
After this, ETIAS will be mandatory. Visa-exempt foreign nationals will only be able to cross an external Schengen border with an approved ETIAS.
Travellers will be informed about ETIAS
During this implementation period, European authorities will inform third-country nationals about the new travel authorisation system. This will be done when they arrive at Schengen borders, as well as when foreign nationals visit European embassies or consulates.
Two informative leaflets have been prepared to help travellers prepare for their upcoming trip to Europe.
ETIAS mandatory entry requirement for Europe
Once the grace period for ETIAS ends, the visa waiver will become an obligatory entry document for all countries that comprise the Schengen Area.
Travellers from visa-exempt non-EU countries will have to apply online for an ETIAS before their departure towards Europe. Once approved, the ETIAS will be sent to the applicant by email and remain electronically linked to their passport.
The ETIAS visa waiver for Europe will be mandatory to visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days per 180-day period.
Travellers arriving in the EU for any of the following purposes will have to carry an ETIAS once it is fully implemented:
- Leisure and tourism
- Business
- Transit (when the passenger leaves the international transit area of the airport)
- Short-term studies (up to 90 days)
- Medical treatment
ETIAS is not a visa; it is a visa waiver, or electronic travel authorisation. It will be an additional requirement for non-EU nationals that do not need a visa for Europe. The application process will be fast, efficient, and 100% online.
