The launch of the European Union’s visa-free authorization system has been postponed and will now occur in November 2023. ETIAS, short for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, will pre-screen travelers arriving from countries eligible for visa-free entry into the Schengen Area, working in a similar way to ESTA in the US.
ETIAS had previously been expected to be in place by the end of this year but will now face a delay of around 12 months. EU sources have confirmed the delay, but have not given a reason for it.
The scheme was initially approved by the European Parliament in 2016. The idea came about as a result of security concerns, which led to calls for better management of who is entering the EU borders. Back in 2016, the then president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, stated,
“We need to know who is crossing our borders. This way we will know who is travelling to Europe before they even get here.”
Six-month grace period
Once launched, it is expected that ETIAS will have a six-month grace period, during which adherence to the scheme will be encouraged but not made mandatory. This will allow time for travel companies, border agents, and travelers alike to familiarize themselves with the rules.
Publicity campaigns will also take place in Schengen Area member states towards the end of 2023 to ensure that travelers are aware of the requirements. The Schengen Area is home to some of the world’s busiest international airports, including Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol.
From the end of the grace period, ETIAS will become compulsory for all visitors from eligible non-EU countries. This applies to both tourists and business travelers, as well as those entering the EU for medical purposes, and those transiting the EU.
There are however unconfirmed talks of a further six-month grace period, during which visa-exempt travelers will be able to cross the Schengen Area’s external borders if they are crossing the border for the first time since the end of the first grace period.
What does ETIAS mean for travelers?
Once ETIAS becomes mandatory, all travelers from visa-exempt countries must register online before entering the Schengen Area, the cost of which is expected to be €7 ($7.15). ETIAS is not a visa and does not guarantee entry into the Schengen Area, but it will be classed as an essential travel document at the border and will be valid for three years.
There are currently 63 countries that are not in the EU but are classed as visa-exempt, including the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Citizens of these countries are permitted to enter the Schengen Area for up to 90 days for business or travel purposes.
The airlines will also have a part to play
In addition to land and sea carriers entering the Schengen Area, airlines will also be responsible for ensuring that travelers have the required ETIAS before beginning their journey. Carriers will be held accountable if they transport a traveler without ETIAS and could face financial penalties as a result.
Airlines with a large network in the Schengen Area, such as Air France and Lufthansa, will have their work cut out, undoubtedly dealing with many queries from passengers as the scheme is launched.
This delay is therefore likely to come as good news for airlines, buying them more time to ensure their processes are water-tight before implementation. It also means that, for the time being, travelers will continue to be able to enter the Schengen Area free of charge and without the additional documentation.
Source: simpleflying.com