The launch of the ETIA system, which was planned for 2024, has now been postponed to 2025. The European Union has officially confirmed this new delay until May 2025.
According to the EU Council meeting on Internal Affairs and Justice, a new road map of the implementation of the Entry/Exit system, which will replace the manual affixing of stamps in foreign passports, provides the system's readiness for operation in the fall of 2024, and ETIA in the spring of 2025.
After launching the ETIA program, a special permit will be required to enter up to 30 Schengen countries in Europe.
ETIA (European Information and Travel Authorization System) is intended to prevent entry into the EU for those who are at risk of public order, national security or international relations to the Schengen Agreement. ETIA permission entitles entry to the EU for citizens of countries with which visa -free regime.
The permit is tied to a foreign passport and is valid for three years or before the expiration of the passport. If you receive a new passport, you need to obtain a new permit.
ETIAs was approved in 2016 as part of international security efforts. Initially, its launch was planned for 2021, but due to various obstacles, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the lack of the necessary infrastructure, the program was postponed.
ETIAs will be obligatory for Ukrainians traveling to the EU and will be obliged to register in a special system every three years, often accompanied by payment of collection. The program also applies to citizens of other states that are entitled to visa -free entry to the EU. To obtain an ETIA permit, you will need to fill out the application on the ETIA official website, and the cost of the application will be 7 euros.
