When Will ETIAS be Implemented?

The date that ETIAS will be implemented has moved several times and the current health pandemic has delayed it further. With embassies closing and all of the other additional factors that have had to be considered in regard to Covid-19, ETIAS launch was pushed back.

It is now expected that ETIAS will be launched in January 2022, from which date, all travellers who could previously visit Schengen without a visa will now require an ETIAS as travel authorization. People planning on visiting the Schengen area are advised to keep up to date with news regarding ETIAS, as the date could possibly change and other changes could affect travel plans.

So, from 1 January 2022 travellers who previously could visit the Schengen without any additional travel authorization other than the passport, will now need to apply for the ETIAS.

These types of visitors did not require visas to travel to the countries in the Schengen Area but from 2022, to improve border security, the ETIAS will be implemented. There are currently 60 countries whose citizens will be required to apply for ETIAS if they want to visit any of the destinations in the Schengen Zone.

When ETIAS is implemented, travellers will be required to apply for their ETIAS before they intend to travel and they will need to complete the online ETIAS form , providing details such as: Name, gender, date of birth, citizenship, passport information. They will also be required to answer questions related to their health and any criminal record.

Once the form has been completed, the applicant must pay an application fee using a valid electronic payment card and then submit the application. They must provide an email address for the ETIAS correspondence to be sent to, and this is how they will find out whether the application has been approved or refused. The border security authorities will assess the application and screen the applicant to identify any information that could deem the applicant to be a risk to citizens in the Schengen Area.

If the application is approved, the ETIAS will be electronically linked to the applicant’s passport and when the border authorities check the passport on arrival, they will be able to see the connected ETIAS. The ETIAS will be valid for three years, or until the passport expires, whichever date is sooner.

If the application is refused, the applicant should receive a reason for the decision, and they then have the opportunity to appeal. ETIAS is only intended for transit, tourism and business travel, so for anyone looking to live permanently or work in the Schengen Zone, they would require a Schengen Visa instead.

As the ETIAS system has not been implemented yet, there could still be some changes and updates before January 2022, so it is a good idea to stay up to date with news if you are planning on travelling to the Schengen Zone in 2022 and beyond.

You can keep up to date with all ETIAS related news through our News page.