ETIAS: EU delays visa-style travel permit for UAE, UK, US and more until 2025

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a planned travel permit required by the nationals of more than 60 countries to visit most Schengen area countries.

The planned introduction’s launch date has been postponed, according to a report by industry site SchengenVisaInfo.com, citing EU sources.

ETIAS delayed until 2025

When it is eventually launched, travellers from countries including the UAE, UK, USA, Australia and Canada will need to apply for an ETIAS travel permit before being allowed to travel to around 30 European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

It will be a requirement for all visa-exempt countries when visiting the region

Although the ETIAS permit is not a visa, it is linked to a traveller’s passport. No physical stamp or sticker will be given, but a digital record will be stored.

As per the SchengenVisaInfo.com report, the ETIAS requirement date has been pushed back to May 2025.

An unnamed EU official said: “We had initially hoped for the EES to become operational by the end of this year or, at the latest, the beginning of the next year.

“Due to unforeseen delays, it has become evident that this timeline is unattainable. As a result, the implementation of the ETIAS has been rescheduled to May 2025, with the possibility of further postponement.”

The EES (Entry/Exit System) is a border security IT initiative planned by the EU.

The introduction of ETIAS will not be possible without an operative EES, meaning the visa-style travel requirements cannot be implemented until May 2025 at the soonest.

French and Swiss government officials have conformed the delay.

Once a valid ETIAS travel permit is given it will be valid for three years, although a new document will be required if a passport expires or is replaced.

The ETIAS travel permit can be used for multiple entries and for stays of up to 90 days.

According to the European Union the permit is not a visa, but a “pre-travel authorisation system”. The procedures are similar to the Esta travel requirements when visiting the US or Canada’s eTA.

Travellers who already need a Schengen visa to visit Europe will not require a European Travel Information and Authorisation System permit.

Nationals of these countries will require permit to travel to Europe

An ETIAS permit will be required to visit these countries

• Andorra
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria*
• Croatia
• Cyprus*
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania*
• San Marino
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Vatican City