British travellers won’t want an online permit to go to the European Union and wider Schengen Area till April 2027 on the earliest.
The Impartial has studied paperwork issued in Brussels that reveal a staggered roll-out for the much-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES).
The EES was supposed to switch the requirement for “wet-stamping” of passports. For a number of months many UK guests might want to have their passports stamped and biometrics taken, doubling the quantity of crimson tape – and lengthening queues at airports, railway stations and ferry ports.
The European Journey Data and Authorisation System (Etias), identified informally as a euro-visa, can’t take impact till six months after the EES is working in any respect Schengen Space frontiers. These embody land borders from the Norway-Russia crossing within the Arctic to the Greece-Turkey frontier in southeast Europe, in addition to each airport with direct flights from the UK and different non-Schengen nations.
The Schengen Space contains all EU nations besides Eire and Cyprus, in addition to Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
The EES was because of launch with a “huge bang” throughout all Schengen frontiers on 10 November 2024. However the plan was scrapped one month forward of the deadline when it grew to become clear that the central database and member states wouldn’t be prepared.
Extra info was promised “inside weeks” in regards to the subsequent steps – however it’s only this month that particulars of the revised plan have grow to be clear.
From info revealed by the EU Directorate-Common for Migration and Dwelling Affairs, The Impartial can reveal that the haphazard launch of the EU Entry/Exit System has taken one other twist.
Brussels has proposed “a progressive begin of operations of the EES,” saying: “This is able to give border authorities and the transport business extra time to regulate to the brand new procedures.”
To roll out the system progressively, although, a brand new regulation have to be handed in Brussels – as a result of the unique insisted on the “huge bang” introduction.
Dwelling Affairs ministers have endorsed this plan, with the European Commission – the EU’s civil service – to set a selected date in October 2025 for the EES to start to be utilized.
Initially, although, as few as one in 10 frontier posts shall be linked to the central database that’s on the coronary heart of the EES system, and biometric components – face and fingerprints – shall be solely optionally available for the primary two months.
By April 2026, it’s hoped that the Entry/Exit System shall be working throughout the Schengen Space. The EU says it have to be totally useful for six months earlier than Etias is launched.
The EU says: “Beginning six months after EES, some 1.4 billion folks from 59 visa-exempt nations and territories are required to have a journey authorisation to enter most European nations.”
However “required” just isn’t precisely right. It will likely be solely on a voluntary foundation for an additional six months.
The earliest, due to this fact, that any British traveller or different “third-country nationwide” will want an Etias, worth €7 (£6), is April 2027.
The UK travel industry has spent over £100m on getting ready for the EES, with Eurotunnel, the Port of Dover and Eurostar putting in new gear and programs.
Timeline for EES and Etias
October 2025: EU Entry/Exit System begins throughout at the very least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of individuals crossing the border in or out of the Schengen Space. However the biometric components – face and fingerprints – won’t be obligatory for the primary 60 days; it might be that some states do that anyway. Passports proceed to be stamped.
December 2025: Biometrics grow to be obligatory at frontier posts working the EES.
January 2026: By now, “member states ought to function the Entry/Exit System – with biometric functionalities – at a minimal of half of their border crossing factors”. In different phrases, a majority of tourists are prone to expertise “double crimson tape”: offering EES biometrics however persevering with to have passports stamped as effectively.
April 2026: Roll-out of Entry/Exit System must be full. Solely when the EES is operating flawlessly throughout Europe will passports cease being stamped.
October 2026 (or later): Etias could lastly come into play. The EU says: “Etias is anticipated to observe within the final quarter of 2026.” However for the primary six months the shall be optionally available.
April 2027 (or later): Etias turns into obligatory, although with a concession that travellers with out one will, on their first try and enter the Schengen Space, be allowed in.
October 2027 (or later): Etias is totally obligatory.
