Plans to charge travellers coming from the UK to enter the European Union have been delayed yet again.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) was initially set to be launched next month however was set back with a new date of May 2023.
But this has changed yet again with the scheme now set to come into force in November of next year instead, according to the European Commission.
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So with set to come into force in just over a year, what else do we know? Here's everything you should be aware of.
What does ETIAS mean for travellers?
When it comes into force, travellers between the age of 18 and 70 from outside the EU who currently have visa-waiver status, including travellers from the UK, will have to apply for an ETIAS authorisation to visit any of the 26 countries in the Schengen Zone. If you’re travelling under a visa, for work as an example, you won’t need one with visaguide stating that if you are under 18, it will be free.
Despite the scheme not coming into force for the next year, an automated Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires all non-EU arrivals to scan four fingerprints and a photograph taken, is still set to come into force in May 2023.
According to Home Affairs, the system "will be an automated IT system for registering travellers from third-countries, both short-stay visa holders and visa exempt travellers, each time they cross an EU external border. The system will register the person's name, type of the travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit, in full respect of fundamental rights and data protection.
"It will also record refusals of entry. EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which is time consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings and does not allow a systematic detection of over-stayers (travellers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay).
"EES will contribute to prevent irregular migration and help protect the security of European citizens. The new system will also help bona fide third-country nationals to travel more easily while also identifying more efficiently over-stayers as well as cases of document and identity fraud. In addition to this, the system will enable to make a wider use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, which are quicker and more comfortable for the traveller."
What countries are part of the Schengen Zone?
According to schengenvisainfo.com, the 26 Schengen countries are as follows:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
How much does it cost to apply to ETIAS and how long is the permit valid for?
UK passport-holders must apply online for the ETIAS permit which costs £5.86 or 7€. Once approved, each ETIAS will be valid for three years or until the expiry date of the travel document. However it can be revoked at any time.
How to apply to ETIAS
Because of its delay, there is no way to apply as of yet.
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