ROLLOUT OF ETIAS
TIMING
The European travel information and authorization system (ETIAS) will be launched in 2025. This will be a few months after the launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES).
ETIAS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES
TRANSITIONAL PERIOD: a transitional period of at least six months will follow the launch of ETIAS. During this period, if a traveller does not have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, border authorities will nevertheless allow her/him to cross the external borders, as long as she/he holds a valid travel document and fulfils all remaining entry conditions.
GRACE PERIOD: once the transitional period is over, an at least six-month ‘last chance’ grace period will follow. During this period, if a traveller does not have an ETIAS travel authorisation and it is the first time they are entering any of the European countries requiring ETIAS since the end date of the transitional period, border authorities will exceptionally allow them to cross the external borders as long as they hold a valid travel document and fulfil all remaining entry conditions.
Important! If the traveller does not have an ETIAS travel authorisation and it is not the first time that they are entering any of the European countries requiring ETIAS since the end of transitional period, they will not be allowed to enter.
ETIAS REQUIREMENT WILL AFFECT ALL TYPES OF BORDERS
The obligation to have an ETIAS is binding independently on whether travellers will be entering Europe via land, sea or at an airport.