ETIAS - when does it start?

[Donna Sch]

Is there an actual start date yet? The ETIAS website states it is not yet in action.

 

[Kathor1]

Best possible answer:

ETIAS will start on the date that will be announced on the ETIAS website. The website is an official EU website, the current short address is www.europa.eu/etias.​

​

Second best possible answer:

ETIAS is scheduled to start 6 months after the start of the EES (Entry-Exit System). The EES will start on the date that will be announced on the EES website. The website is an official EU website, the current short address is www.europa.eu/ees.​

​

As there has been a recent change in the legal framework for the start of the EES, a new piece of legislation has been drawn up in December 2024. It will have to go through the usual legislative process at the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. This process has just started and it is not yet completed.​

​

There will be large-scale information campaigns for the EES and the ETIAS. It will not go unnoticed when either of the two systems becomes operational.

​

 

[CTLawGal]

Yeah, I used to worry about this and keep checking on it, now my attitude is, it will start when it starts.

And likely someone on this Forum will post that it's started and that's how I'l first hear about it, hahaha!

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

What is ETIAS

 

[CTLawGal]

What is ETIAS

A much-delayed proposed electronic travel authorization linked to your passport, allows non EU citizens to enter and travel in EU. It's a small charge, you need to apply in advance of your trip.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Best possible answer:

ETIAS will start on the date that will be announced on the ETIAS website. The website is an official EU website, the current short address is www.europa.eu/etias.​

​

Second best possible answer:

ETIAS is scheduled to start 6 months after the start of the EES (Entry-Exit System). The EES will start on the date that will be announced on the EES website. The website is an official EU website, the current short address is www.europa.eu/ees.​

​

As there has been a recent change in the legal framework for the start of the EES, a new piece of legislation has been drawn up in December 2024. It will have to go through the usual legislative process at the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. This process has just started and it is not yet completed.​

​

There will be large-scale information campaigns for the EES and the ETIAS. It will not go unnoticed when either of the two systems becomes operational.

​

Shorter answer: nobody knows so don't fret it for now.

 

[trecile]

Yeah, I used to worry about this and keep checking on it, now my attitude is, it will start when it starts.

And likely someone on this Forum will post that it's started and that's how I'l first hear about it, hahaha!

Plus there will be numerous news articles and your airline will probably alert you to the new requirement.

 

[Kathor1]

There is no need to fret or worry about ETIAS.

I guess that people are merely curious about the start date, what with all the articles that have been produced by international travel authors and other authors of international news output. The first forum member who felt the urge to share such news posted in March 2019 on this forum about ETIAS.

The current timeline for the EES looks like this: First the bill about changing the way the system is started up has to become law - my guess is that this isn't going to happen before January, so probably February or even as late as March. Then each EU country has 60 days to elaborate their individual rollout plans and report to the EU Commission that they are ready - they can do this of course within a day after publication of the law but I would not hold my breath. Then the EU Commission decides on a starting date. Then there is the 6 months phasing-in period. At the end of this period ETIAS is due to start but by that time the Camino Pilgrimage Season 2025 is largely over.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

I guess that people are merely curious about the start date

I expect they're mostly worried about missing something and being refused boarding.

I saw this happen during the pandemic with the location tracking forms. People were refused boarding because the form needed to be filled 24 hours prior to boarding. Those who didn't know or didn't comply couldn't travel.

 

[CTLawGal]

I expect they're mostly worried about missing something and being refused boarding.

I saw this happen during the pandemic with the location tracking forms. People were refused boarding because the form needed to be filled 24 hours prior to boarding. Those who didn't know or didn't comply couldn't travel.

I suspect you're right; I've just assumed that it's been pending so long that there would be plenty of notice, and also something you can do electronically quickly. Maybe I'm wrong, but it's not top on my list of things to worry about

 

[pjacobi]

My understanding is that the UK-version of ETIAS is supposed to definitively start in January 2025 for entry into the UK. Is that correct?


-Paul

 

[trecile]

My understanding is that the UK-version of ETIAS is supposed to definitively start in January 2025 for entry into the UK. Is that correct?

Here's official information

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet – November 2024 – Home Office in the media

News and updates from Home Office Media

homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk

And how to apply

Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

Information on who can get an ETA and how to apply before coming to the UK.

www.gov.uk

 

[Kathor1]

My understanding is that the UK-version of ETIAS is supposed to definitively start in January 2025 for entry into the UK. Is that correct?

@pjacobi: Your understanding is not correct. The UK's ETA system started months ago but probably not yet for you - assuming that you are a not yet eligible non-European; I assume that you are a US passport holder. The UK introduces their ETA system gradually: some nationalities are already subject to their ETA, other nationalities will be soon subject and for others yet no date has been set by the UK government.

@trecile has provided some links to the UK government's ETA webpages.

They very very strongly recommend to download their ETA app. It ought to answer all your questions for your own nationality. You can find the app easily: the name is UK ETA, it's developed by the Home Office, and there is an icon of a crown which ought to distinguish it from other countries' ETA apps.

This thread is about the EU's ETIAS system. It would be best to keep comments and questions about the various electronic travel authorisation systems - UK, USA, Canada, Australia and other countries - in threads separate from the ETIAS threads. In particular since the introduction of ETIAS is closely linked to the introduction of the EES which will be a massive major change for EU border control.

 

[Kathor1]

You can find the app easily: the name is UK ETA, it's developed by the Home Office, and there is an icon of a crown which ought to distinguish it from other countries' ETA apps.

And, @pjacobi, I am happy to share with you that I just downloaded the UK ETA app, initialised it, had it take a photo of my passport and it then proceeded to tell me all I need to know about the UK ETA and my status as a future traveller to the UK right now - although my next trip to the UK is likely only at the end of February.

I recommend the download. It saves a lot of forum discussion about what applies to which non-UK traveller and when.

 

[pjacobi]

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet – November 2024 – Home Office in the media

News and updates from Home Office Media

homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk

"Eligible non-Europeans can now apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025."

It looks like US citizens will need ETA, starting 8 January 2025 to visit the UK.


-Paul

 

[Kathor1]

It looks like [...]

In case I had not yet mentioned it: Download the UK ETA app from the App Store or from Google Play, initialise it, scan your passport and you will know for certain.

Are you planning to travel to the UK in the immediate future? Or do you just want to chat about it and alert others to it?

 

[Kathor1]

And not only did I download the UK ETA app, I also went to the American Airlines website to see what happens when I book a flight from New York JFK to London Heathrow for the 10th of January 2025. And I see the information shown in the screenshot below. It is all well organised for the UK ETA and the US traveller to the UK. It will be the same for the EU ETIAS and the US traveller to the EU. No need to fret, to worry or to over-inform.

 

[HBS60]

Question, just thinking ahead: I’m applying for an NLV visa so I can move to Spain. I might need to travel back and forth between Spain and the US for a while to take care of things. So, if I’m already living in Spain when ETIAS is in force, then I need to go back to the US, do I need the ETIAS to return to Spain or does the NLV visa makes the need for an ETIAS moot?

 

[Molly Cassidy]

Question, just thinking ahead: I’m applying for an NLV visa so I can move to Spain. I might need to travel back and forth between Spain and the US for a while to take care of things. So, if I’m already living in Spain when ETIAS is in force, then I need to go back to the US, do I need the ETIAS to return to Spain or does the NLV visa makes the need for an ETIAS moot?

When you take up residence in Spain, you will get a residence permit. This is like an ID card. You will show it when you enter and leave Spain along with your passport. You won't need etias or any other visa. They take your fingerprints when you get the residence permit.

 

[HBS60]

When you take up residence in Spain, you will get a residence permit. This is like an ID card. You will show it when you enter and leave Spain along with your passport. You won't need etias or any other visa. They take your fingerprints when you get the residence permit.

Thanks, good to know!

 

[Sirage]

As somebody said (or implied) above, it would be good for the UK posts to be deleted or moved to another thread.

They do add to confusion in my head - others' heads maybe more fault tolerant.
Is being on-topic one of Ivar's rules for this Forum?

 

[ShoshTrvls]

As somebody said (or implied) above, it would be good for the UK posts to be deleted or moved to another thread.

They do add to confusion in my head - others' heads maybe more fault tolerant.
Is being on-topic one of Ivar's rules for this Forum?

But it is not entirely irrelevant because it appears that if one is transiting through the UK (as many US passport holders do given how cheaply you can fly from London to SdC on Ryan), you will need to get an ETA in advance of traveling. This is different than what most of us are familiar with in regard to visas - that is, usually you can transit without a visa through a country that would require a visa for a visit. But you will not be able to transit through the UK without an ETA.

 

[Kitsambler]

To summarize, these related systems may all apply to the individual pilgrim traveler:
EES - EU border entry tracking program for non-EU citizens/residents. Implementation date TBD (but likely 2025). Current official information at www.europa.eu/ees
ETIAS - EU "visa waiver" program for non-EU citizens/residents. Implementation date TBD but at least 6 months after EES implementation. Current official info at www.europa.eu/etias
ETA - UK "visa waiver" program for transit or entry, implementation currently in progress. Current official information at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta