ETIAS to become operational by the end of 2023

• ETIAS will become operational in late 2023, according to official EU sources.
• Visa-free visitors to the European Union will soon need to register online before travelling to Europe.

In order to boost border security, the European Parliament established the European Travel Information and Authorisation System in 2016. Before entering the Schengen Area, ETIAS assesses visitors from visa-exempt nations.

It was initially anticipated that ETIAS will be operational by the end of 2021, with full implementation by 2022.

ETIAS, on the other hand, will now be available in late 2023. “According to current plans, ETIAS is set to become live in November 2023,” an EU insider recently revealed to EtiasVisa.com.

According to the European Commission’s official statement, the new deadline was agreed upon by Home Affairs Ministers in July 2022.

WHEN WILL ETIAS BECOME OBLIGATORY TO TRAVEL TO EUROPE?

ETIAS will be completely operational by the end of 2023. Before the travel authorization becomes necessary, there may be a transition period of a few months.

2023: ETIAS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF THE YEAR

The EU Commission has announced that ETIAS will be implemented in 2023. By the end of 2023, the system will be completely operational.

Following the launch of ETIAS, there may be a brief period of implementation. In this instance, ETIAS registration would be optional for at least 6 months after the system goes online. At this moment, applying for ETIAS would be optional for visits to Europe.

ETIAS information will be made available to travellers in the latter months of 2023. Schengen member states will disseminate information about the new travel authorization; for example, travellers may be given brochures at Schengen border checks.

The brochure will also be sent to all Schengen Area embassies and consulates where mandatory ETIAS registration will be required.

ETIAS BECOMES OPERATIONAL FOR VISA-EXEMPT VISITORS IN LATE 2023

The ETIAS requirement of late 2023 gives travellers and airlines time to adjust to the new system. Although online registration will not be required for the first several months, it will be encouraged.

ETIAS will be mandatory for qualified travellers beyond the initial implementation period. Tourists and business travellers from qualified non-EU nations will require ETIAS to enter the country visa-free.

THE EXTRA ETIAS GRACE PERIOD

An additional 6-month grace period might be implemented at the end of the first six months of ETIAS implementation.

During this time, officials would allow visa-free visitors without an ETIAS to traverse Schengen’s exterior borders. They would have to fulfil all other entrance requirements and be crossing the border for the first time after the initial grace period ended.

Another EU source noted that this second grace period might be extended for an additional 6 months in 2022 to allow travellers and border guards to acclimate to the new standards.

The grace periods for ETIAS have not yet been verified.

ETIAS REGISTRATION FROM LATE 2023

Travelers from visa-exempt nations will need to register online before visiting Europe once ETIAS becomes required. Any Schengen nation will require ETIAS to visit.

ETIAS resembles the United States. ETIAS is not a visa, but it is a necessary travel document. Tourists can travel all Schengen nations for up to 90 days for tourism or business with ETIAS.