Mit einem Strafregister nach Europa einreisen: Anforderungen und Bewerbungsmodalitäten

A felon’s life chances might be limited by a criminal record, and this is especially true when it comes to overseas travel. Countries with rigorous regulations, such as the United States and Canada, might refuse entrance even if they have a minor criminal history dating back 50 years.

Despite the fact that most other nations have severe no-admission rules for foreign tourists with violent or major convictions, many countries will nonetheless allow travellers with minor criminal histories to enter, especially if a sufficient period of time has passed. Im Allgemeinen sind die Einreisebestimmungen für Reisende mit einer kriminellen Vergangenheit in Europa deutlich weniger streng als in Nordamerika.

VORAUSSETZUNGEN FÜR DIE EINREISE NACH EUROPA MIT VORSTRAFEN

Although policies vary by country, in general, criminal conviction checks are not performed at European borders for foreign visitors arriving for short visits for tourism purposes. Citizens from visa-free nations who visit Europe for a vacation are usually not questioned about their criminal history.

However, it is critical to tell the truth if a border official questions you about your background, as lying will only make the situation worse.

From November 2023, visitors to the Schengen Area from previously visa-exempt countries will be required to pre-register for an ETIAS visa waiver online for short stays. The application process for this electronic travel authorization will include security checks to identify any potential threats to Europe’s public safety.

EUROPÄISCHES STRAFREGISTERINFORMATIONSSYSTEM FÜR VERURTEILTE DRITTSTAATSANGEHÖRIGE

The European Commission gave its final approval on April 9th, 2019, to a proposal to establish a European Criminal Records Information System for convicted third-country nationals. The central system’s purpose is to enhance the interchange of criminal record information concerning convicted non-EU nationals and stateless people. Das bestehende Europäische Strafregisterinformationssystem (ECRIS) wird für den Datenaustausch genutzt.

Das bestehende Europäische Strafregisterinformationssystem (ECRIS) wird für den Datenaustausch genutzt. ECRIS will offer assistance and increase police and judicial cooperation. Diese Methode wird auch zur Prävention von Kriminalität und Terrorismus beitragen.

ECRIS-TCN will have the following features:

• Die Behörden werden Zugang zur Online-Datenbank haben und mit einem Treffer-/Nicht-Treffer-Mechanismus suchen können: Bei einem Treffer werden die Mitgliedstaaten ermittelt, von denen vollständige Strafregisterdaten abgerufen werden können.
• ECRIS wird nur Identitätsinformationen wie Fingerabdrücke und, sofern verfügbar, Gesichtsbilder enthalten.
• Das System wird von der Agentur eu-LISA verwaltet, die auch das ETIAS-System und andere große Informationssysteme im Bereich Freiheit, Sicherheit und Recht verwaltet.
• ECRIS kann nicht nur in Strafverfahren eingesetzt werden, sondern auch für andere genehmigte Zwecke, z. B. für die Zulassung von Personen zur Arbeit mit Minderjährigen oder für die Erteilung einer Genehmigung zum Umgang mit Schusswaffen.

Furthermore, the Commission is negotiating further legislation that would allow the ECRIS-TCN database to be checked when an ETIAS visa waiver is sought through the ETIAS system, when analysing visa applications using the Visa Information System (VIS), or when investigating identity fraud.

REISEN NACH EUROPA MIT EINEM STRAFREGISTEREINTRAG BEI ETIAS

Once the ETIAS authorisation is implemented, travellers from previously visa-exempt countries will be required to complete an ETIAS application online for stays up to 90 days with a 180-day period of any of the Schengen member states.

The ETIAS requirements will involve having a passport from an eligible country upon entry to the Schengen Area, and will also require applicants to answer a series of questions about security and health matters.

Although these are yet to be finalised, the application is expected to include questions regarding criminal history. However, as the system is geared towards identifying terrorist threats, those going to Europe with a criminal record for a minor offense are unlikely to face complications with the application and should be able to get an ETIAS visa waiver without problems.

KANN ICH MIT EINEM SCHWEREN VORSTRAFENREGISTER NACH EUROPA REISEN?

Travelers with a criminal record who visit Europe for vacation are not now questioned about minor charges, especially upon entry into any of the Schengen passport-free countries.

Travellers who have committed more serious offences may have difficulty entering Schengen Area ETIAS nations for short visits. Those who have served more than three years in prison or who have been convicted of human trafficking or narcotics charges with more than two years in prison are likely to be denied entrance.

Allerdings, Die Politik ist von Land zu Land unterschiedlich. Deutschland, for example, has significantly tighter laws than most other Schengen member nations, as the country has the authority to deport anybody who:

• Verurteilung wegen öffentlicher Ordnung mit einer Strafe von mehr als 3 Jahren.
• Drogendelikte mit einer Strafe von mehr als 2 Jahren.
• Jede Straftat im Zusammenhang mit Menschenhandel.

However, like in the United Kingdom, German border authorities are more concerned with transgressions committed within their own nation than those committed outside the EU. The UK, on the other hand, uses the idea of’spent‘ convictions, which allows travellers with a criminal past to enter the nation provided they are deemed rehabilitated.

A conviction is considered’spent‘ in the UK if it has been more than ten years since the traveller last served jail time (sentences between 6 to 30 months). Over 30 months in jail cannot be’spent,‘ and will always be used against the traveller. Prison sentences of less than 6 months or penalties result in a rehabilitation period of 5 years or less.

Wenn die Strafe als „verbraucht“ gilt, muss der Reisende die Verurteilung nicht melden, und sie kann nicht gegen ihn verwendet werden, selbst wenn die Einwanderungsbehörden von der Straftat wissen.

Finally, anyone travelling to Europe with a criminal past should keep in mind that the ultimate decision for admission often comes down to the individual discretion of the border control official, so it’s critical to state your case politely and truthfully.