The European Union has once again postponed the launch of its European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This has been confirmed by sources within the EU. The new release date is now said to have been pushed back to May 2025.
This postponement allows visa-exempt passport holders continue to travel to the countries of the Schengen area and to Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania without further online travel authorization.
The delay is due to the problems surrounding the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) by third parties, which made it not possible to launch the ETIAS according to the original schedule. Without the EES, the ETIAS cannot function.
France wanted a postponement
France has previously called for a postponement of both the EES and the ETIAS, with a view to the Olympic Games in Paris in the summer of 2024. The French government has indicated that the EU should delay the introduction of the EES to avoid long queues and chaos at border crossings and international airports, as many visitors from outside the EU are expected for the sporting event. According to expectations, around a million tourists will spend the summer in France because of the Olympic Games.
Even before the Olympic Games were scheduled, France was concerned about possible long waiting times at the border with Great Britain due to the introduction of EES. French authorities even predicted that waiting times at the British-French border could double due to the start of EES.
What is EES?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an initiative of the European Union to modernize border controls in the Schengen zone. The system aims to digitally register the entry and exit of short-term non-EU citizens in the Schengen zone, replacing traditional stamps in passports with electronic registrations. It helps authorities identify persons staying in the zone longer than permitted and improves overall safety through faster identification of potential risks.
The EES can also communicate with other EU systems, such as ETIAS, and has strict data protection rules to ensure traveler privacy. The system is a response to concerns about security, illegal immigration and the need for more efficient border controls.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is a system designed by the European Union to increase security within the Schengen zone by checking the background of travelers prior to a trip to Europe. Once fully operational, citizens of countries exempt from Schengen zone visa requirements will be required to obtain an ETIAS authorization before traveling to a Schengen country.
The process of making a ETIAS authorization can be obtained online. Travelers must complete an application form and pay a fee. Once approved, the ETIAS authorization is valid for three years, or until the end of the validity of the traveler's passport, whichever comes first.
The main purpose of ETIAS is to improve internal security within EU countries, reduce illegal immigration, protect public health and reduce administrative procedures for border controls.
