Have you heard about the EES? ETIAS?
The EES (EU Entry/Exit System) and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) are two new travel systems due to be introduced in the near future; designed to enhance border management across the EU and improve the security and efficiency of travel into and out of the Schengen Area.
Here’s the low down:
The European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new electronic system designed to enhance border management across the EU and improve the security and efficiency of travel into and out of the Schengen Area. Here’s the low down:
What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is a digital border control system due to be introduced by the European Union to register non-EU citizens (often referred to as third-country nationals) who enter or exit the Schengen Area. It replaces the manual stamping of passports and modernises the way borders are managed.
Key Features of the EES
1. Who is Affected?
- Non-EU citizens, including those from the UK, who travel into or out of the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period).
- It applies to travellers requiring a visa as well as those who are visa-exempt.
2. How Does It Work?
- At border checkpoints (land, sea, or air), travellers’ personal details, travel documents, and biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) are digitally registered.
- Each entry and exit is recorded in a centralised database, including:
- Name and nationality.
- Passport number and date of travel.
- Visa information (if applicable).
- The system calculates the remaining days a traveller is allowed to stay in the Schengen Area under the 90/180 rule.
3. Purpose of the System
- Enhance security: Helps identify overstayers and track irregular migration.
- Facilitate travel: Speeds up border checks by automating processes.
- Reduce fraud: Prevents misuse of travel documents and visa abuse.
4. Replacement of Passport Stamps
- With the EES, border officials no longer need to stamp passports manually. (Except in Cyprus and Ireland). All data is stored digitally, and travellers can track their own Schengen stay allowances.
5. Implementation Timeline
- The EES was expeected to go live on 10 November 2024 with launch dates having been delayed various times already! It is now expected to be be rolled out across all Schengen Area countries in 2025, with no set date as far as we can find out (22/11/2024).
Impact on Travellers
1. For Visa-Exempt Travellers (e.g., UK Citizens)
- You’ll still need to comply with the 90/180-day rule: A maximum stay of 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen Area.
- Upon entry or exit, your biometric data will be recorded in the system.
- ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System): From 2025, UK citizens will also need to apply for ETIAS authorisation before travelling.
2. For Visa Holders
- The EES will record your visa details and ensure you do not exceed your allowed stay duration.
3. Streamlined Border Processes
- The EES aims to make border checks quicker by using automated systems and self-service kiosks at certain checkpoints.
- Repeat travellers may experience less waiting time due to pre-registered data.
4. Overstays and Penalties
- Overstaying the permitted duration will trigger alerts in the system, which could lead to penalties, including fines, entry bans, or issues with future visa applications.
Why is the being EES Introduced?
The EES is part of the EU’s broader effort to modernise border controls under the Smart Borders Package, which aims to:
- Improve border security and address irregular migration.
- Enhance coordination and information-sharing among Schengen countries.
- Streamline legal travel into the EU.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is a digital system that determines the eligibility of visa-exempt travellers to enter the Schengen Area. It is similar to other pre-travel systems, such as the US ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). It is not a visa but a mandatory travel authorisation for short stays.
Key Features of ETIAS
1. Who Needs ETIAS?
- Citizens of countries that are visa-exempt for the Schengen Area (e.g. UK, USA, Canada, Australia).
- This includes travellers entering for purposes like tourism, business, family visits, or short-term study.
- ETIAS is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen Area.
2. How Does ETIAS Work?
- Travellers must apply for ETIAS online before their trip.
- The system will check the traveller’s information against security databases (e.g., Interpol, Europol).
- The process aims to identify potential security or migration risks before travellers arrive at the border.
3. What is the Application Process?
- Applications are submitted via the ETIAS website or a mobile app.
- Required information includes:
- Personal details (name, date of birth, nationality).
- Travel document details (passport number and expiry date).
- Travel plans (e.g., intended Schengen country of entry).
- Background questions about criminal history, health, or previous travel to war/conflict zones.
- A €7 fee applies (free for applicants under 18 or over 70).
4. Approval and Validity
- Most applications are approved within minutes, but some may require further review, taking up to 30 days.
- Once approved, ETIAS is valid for:
-3 years, or until your passport expires (whichever comes first).
- Travellers can use ETIAS for multiple trips to the Schengen Area during its validity period.
5. Entry with ETIAS
- Having an approved ETIAS does not guarantee entry. Border officials will verify your eligibility and may deny entry if conditions are not met (e.g., insufficient funds or unclear travel purpose).
Why is ETIAS being introduced?
ETIAS has been established to:
- Enhance border security and reduce risks from irregular migration and transnational crime.
- Ensure that visa-exempt travellers meet entry criteria before arriving in the EU.
- Simplify border checks by pre-screening travellers.
When Does ETIAS Start?
- The ETIAS system is expected to be implemented in 2025, 6 months after EES launch
Impact on Travellers
1. For all citizens from visa-exempt countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others (including the UK, post-Brexit).
- Since Brexit, UK nationals are visa-exempt for short stays in the Schengen Area but will need ETIAS authorisation to travel from 2025.
- It applies to both direct and transit travel through the Schengen Area.
2. Streamlined Travel
- ETIAS reduces the likelihood of travel disruptions by identifying issues before departure.
- It enhances the security of the Schengen borders while maintaining ease of travel for eligible individuals.
3. Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Travellers without ETIAS authorisation may be denied boarding or entry into the Schengen Area.
You can find more details https://travel-europe.europa.eu/index_en
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