ETIAS ‘visa’ for travel to Europe won’t be introduced until 2025, EU confirms

14:56, 20.10.2023

Visitors to the European Union will not need an online “eurovisa” until 2025 at the earliest.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will require citizens of the “third countries” to register ahead of travel to the EU, is running behind schedule.

The European Council’s Justice and Home Affairs Council, which is meeting in Brussels, has now also endorsed a new timeline for the roll-out of the Entry/Exit System – the EU database that will replace manual passport stamping with electronic registration.

ETIAS will cover the Schengen Area, which includes almost all European Union nations (but not Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland or Romania), plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

It will apply for the nationals of dozens of countries for which a full Schengen Area visa is not required, including Tonga, Venezuela and the United Kingdom.

Currently, the fee is set at €7 (£6) for a permit that will be valid for up to three years.

Entry/Exit System was expected to be enacted from 2024.

By - Elene Dobordjginidze

World

ETIAS