2024-08-19 12:18:52
The next 12 months are set to see some big changes for travel in and out of the EU, such as the suspension of the EES and ETIAS schemes is set to finally come into effect (barring any more last minute delays).
You can find a full explanation of what EES and ETIAS include, and which countries are affected, HERE.
So if you have a travel plan, here’s what you need to know and how to plan in advance.
Travel between now and November 9th, 2024
If you are traveling before November 10th then there is good news – nothing has changed. So you can continue with your journey without additional questions, all the rules remain the same.
Travel between November 10th 2024 and June 2025
After many delays and delays, we now have a start date for the first time of the changes; The new Entry/Exit System (known as EES) will come into effect on Sunday, November 10th according to the European Commission.
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The exact start date for the second phase – ETIAS (or European Travel Information and Authorization System) – is still to be confirmed, but it will be at least six months after the start of the EES, bringing us to mid-May 2025.
So if you are traveling between November and May, you only have one thing to worry about; YES.
What is EES? – you can find a full explanation of what EES is HEREbut in short it is a more secure way of screening passports in areas outside the EU/Schengen. It doesn’t change immigration laws like the 90-day rule, but it makes their enforcement easier.
When entering or exiting the EU or the Schengen area, passengers (except for exempt groups, as explained below) will have to complete a registration form before providing personal details such as name and date of birth and also provide biometric data – specifically fingerprints and an eye scan.
These will be used for two things; Stronger security checks on passports and automatic counting of 90 days of visa-free travel that some non-EU nationals are allowed within the EU/Schengen area.
Pre-registration only needs to be done once, on each subsequent trip you simply check your passport (until you get a new passport, at which point you have to pre-register again).
How to prepare – There is not much that travelers can do to prepare for this in advance, because pre-registration and giving fingerprints / fingerprints must be done in person at the airport / station / port when traveling .
You may find, however, that your travel provider requires more API (advance passenger information). It is already the case that, for example, if you are flying you will have to provide your passport details before you can complete the search online, while operators such as Channel Tunnel still require you to provide details in continuity as the names of all ideas.
In order to comply with the EES rules it is likely that all tour operators will request such information, and requests may include additional information.
So the first step is to read all emails in full from whoever you’ve booked your trip with – even if you’ve traveled with them many times before – to make sure you’ve provided all the information required before traveling to the airport/port/port.
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The next step is to know what to expect when you arrive at the station / airport / station – as practical differences on the ground mean that the procedure will be different in different places. You can read the Local Guides to the changes to travel on Eurostaron cross-channel ferriesby Channel Tunnel Le bus and for air travel.
Finally, plan to arrive early to allow plenty of time to complete pre-travel procedures, especially if you are traveling close to the start date or if this is the first time you have crossed an EU/Schengen border since that the plan has been developed.
Check the recommended arrival times from your travel provider and follow their recommendations.
Who is happy? – Citizens of EU/EEA countries are exempt from EES pre-registration requirements, and this includes dual nationals if they are traveling on their EU/EEA passport.
Non-EU citizens who are residents of an EU/EEA country are exempt, as are non-EU citizens who hold a visa for an EU/EEA country.
In detail: Who is exempt from EES requirements
Even if you are in one of the exempt groups, it is a good idea to follow the arrival time recommendations from your travel provider, especially if you are traveling close to the start date when things can be chaotic. few.
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Travel after May 2025
Once the EES is up and running and the main problems have (appropriately) been ironed out, the EU plans to change the second one; ETIAS.
The exact start date has not been confirmed, but it is set for “six months after the EES”, according to the European Commission. This brings us to mid-May 2025. The start date will be determined to avoid peak travel periods such as school holidays.
If you are traveling after May you will therefore have to consider both EES (as explained above) and ETIAS.
What is ETIAS? – In contrast to the EES, ETIAS changes the rules of travel, requiring the elimination of an electronic visa for people who currently travel to the EU without the need for an immigration document.
It affects non-EU citizens who are entering the EU for a stay of at least 90 days and who do not have a visa or residence card. It will primarily affect tourists, some second home owners (those without visas) and people visiting family.
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Britons, Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, as well as any other nationals who can currently travel without a visa under the 90 day rule, are affected by this change .
How do I prepare in advance – Unlike EES, this can be ready for advancement, in fact it must be.
Before you travel, you will need to go online and fill out the ETIAS questionnaire and pay €7 (under 18s and over 70s are exempt from the fee but still need to fill in the form) and then wait for the application to improve.
The European Commission said applications should be processed within minutes, but advised travelers to apply 72 hours in advance in case of delays.
The process is very similar to the ESTA visa issuance process required for entry into the US as a visitor.
Once the application is made, it will last for three years, so regular travelers will not need to do it each time.
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The process is completely online and the website can be accessed HERE (although there are no applications at this point, it is scheduled to open a few weeks before the launch date).
The process is straightforward and designed to be done by travelers, so there is no need to get a travel or other company to do it for you. The Commission is warning people to be very wary of scam websites that claim to help you with the ETIAS document – the safest option is to do it yourself through the official website.
Who is happy? – ETIAS is aimed at tourists and temporary visitors to the EU. The exception is; Citizens of EU countries or EEA countries, non-EU citizens with a residence permit in an EU/EEA country and non-EU citizens with a visa for an EU/EEA country An EEA.
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