Europe Is Introducing New Entry Regulations. When Will Travelers Need to Register?

As many travelers are now aware, the entry rules for Europe’s Schengen countries are changing. In the near future (details to follow), U.S. citizens wishing to visit the 27 nations within Europe’s Schengen Zone will be required to register in advance with the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and pay a fee of 7 euros to enter countries like France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Spain, and Sweden, among others.

The European Commission, responsible for drafting and executing EU policies, proposed these new entry regulations back in 2016 to “enhance security checks for individuals traveling visa-free to the EU,” says Anitta Hipper, spokesperson for home affairs, migration, and internal security at the European Commission, as reported by Dinogo.

When will the new ETIAS travel regulations for Europe take effect?

Originally scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2021, the implementation of ETIAS has faced several delays and is now projected to launch in 2024—but the specific date within that year is still uncertain. This delay is partly due to the rollout of Europe’s new technology-based Entry/Exit System (EES), which will monitor visitors as they cross borders. EES was intended to go live in May 2023, but its launch has been postponed until at least the end of 2023 and possibly into mid-2024.

“Ensuring that these systems can effectively communicate with each other is essential,” states Hipper. “ETIAS depends on the data supplied by the EES to assess risks.” She notes that the aim is for Europe’s ETIAS travel authorization system to begin functioning within six months of the EES launch.

When can we expect the exact launch date for ETIAS?

An updated schedule for the EES and ETIAS systems will be revealed in October, according to Hipper. In other words, we’ll have more information in October 2023.

The European agency tasked with developing the EES and ETIAS information systems (known as eu-LISA) agrees, informing Dinogo in a statement that “a revised timeline for the technical readiness of interoperability, which includes EES and ETIAS, should be announced in October 2023.”

During a July meeting in the House of Parliament in the United Kingdom—the U.K. is gearing up to launch a similar Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system by the end of 2024—delegates suggested that the rollout of the EES may not occur until after the Paris Summer 2024 Olympics. The U.K. is closely monitoring the progress of EES and ETIAS since its citizens will also need to register with these new systems when they are activated.

How to submit an application for ETIAS

Currently, as there is no confirmed launch date for ETIAS, an official application website is not available. ETIAS.com acts as a hub for news, updates, and details about the new travel authorization process. Once the ETIAS application goes online, it should take roughly 10 minutes to complete. To apply, you'll need a valid passport, an email address, and a debit or credit card for the nonrefundable 7-euro application fee, which applies to individuals aged 18 to 70. Those under 18 or over 70 will still require an ETIAS but will not incur any fees. No other costs are associated with this program.

After submitting the application, travelers can expect to receive ETIAS approval confirmation within 96 hours or less. “A small fraction of applications may take up to four weeks to process if additional documentation is needed from the applicant. If your ETIAS hasn't been approved and you lack other travel authorization, you will not be able to enter any EU country,” according to the ETIAS website.

Once you apply for the first time, your ETIAS authorization will remain valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Since the ETIAS permits short stays of up to 90 days for both leisure and business travelers, you can re-enter Europe multiple times during that three-year window without needing to renew it, as long as your total stay does not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. Those wishing to study or work in Europe must apply for the appropriate work or study visa.

To clarify, ETIAS is not a visa. A visa allows entry into a country and often requires a visit to a consulate or embassy along with a more complex application process. ETIAS does not necessitate any of this and is intended for travelers from visa-exempt countries entering Europe (including the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Australia). In fact, the U.S. has a similar system in place, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), for visitors from countries that typically do not require a visa.

“An ETIAS travel authorization does not impose visa-like requirements,” clarifies a fact sheet from the European Commission. “There’s no need to visit a consulate to apply, no biometric data will be collected, and significantly less information is required compared to the visa application process.”