Families from outside the EU and the Schengen area have not been able to visit each other for months due to the corona crisis and the entry ban. A group of Dutch people of foreign origin is the citizens' initiative 'Families from outside the EU, we miss you!' started and asks the government to relax the entry ban for this group.
French President Macron wants Schengen zone reform
French President Emmanuel Macron wants to adjust free travel in the Schengen zone and he will tighten controls at the French borders considerably.
What are Schengen countries?
There are 26 so-called Schengen countries in Europe. The Netherlands is also part of this. It concerns 22 countries of the European Union and four non-member states. These countries have agreed in an agreement that they will abolish checks on persons at their common borders. Also known as free movement of people and goods. We call the countries that have signed this treaty the Schengen countries.
EU: COVID-19 has no impact on ETIAS launch date
The current corona pandemic has no influence on the planned implementation date of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). ETIAS should be fully operational by the end of 2022. Sources within the European Commission confirm this.
The benefits of ETIAS, the new visa exemption for Europe
The visa policy of the European Union will change radically from 2022. Travelers from third countries that do not require a visa, who previously could only cross an external border of the EU with a passport, must first register with ETIAS.
The Netherlands is extending the border closure for people from outside Europe
The travel restrictions that apply to foreigners from outside Europe due to the corona pandemic have been extended until July 1.