Implementation of European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit Systems (EES)

Santa Fe publication date

15 January 2025

Overview

The rules of travel to most European countries are changing. The European Union is launching two new border management initiatives: i. the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and ii. the Entry/Exit Systems (EES).

Officially the EES was scheduled to be implemented on 11 November 2024, but due to delays it has been postponed starting in 2025. The exact date is still unknown.
The ETIAS will be implemented 6 months after the implementation of EES.

ETIAS is the new entry requirement for travellers that do not need a (Schengen)visa to enter for a short stay. With ETIAS these travellers will need to apply for a travel authorisation before their trip. ETIAS will collect data such as address, passport, occupational details and information about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions.

EES will register both visa-free and visa-required travellers every time they cross the border of one of the 29 Schengen countries. No action towards the EES registration needs done before their trip, the registering is done at the crossing of the border of one of the Schengen countries and will replace the manual stamping of the passport. EES will collect the traveller’s biometric data, such as facial image and fingerprints, as well as the data from the travel document and the date and place of enter and exiting the territory of European countries using the system.

Who will be affected?

ETIAS will apply for travel to one of the following 30 European countries that use the ETIAS travel authorisation.

The following countries, that are currently exempt from any visa obligation will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation. If you come from one of the following countries, hold this nationality and plan for a short stay trip, you will need to have an ETIAS travel authorisation. By short stay it should be understood as a maximum of 90 days in a 180 days’ timeframe.

Impact

The ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to the traveller’s passport and valid for 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you renew your passport, you also need to renew your ETIAS. The ETIAS, even though valid for 3 years, is only intended for short stay trips, less than 90 days in a period of 180 days.
Most applications will be processed within minutes, but it is possible that it takes longer. You will receive the decision within four business days, with the possibility to extend this period up to 14 days if you are requested to provide additional information or documents. In the worst-case scenario, it can take up to 30 days if you get invited for an interview, this is why we do recommend applying for your ETIAS well in advance of your travel.
Once you receive the decision and this is positive, you may travel. We do recommend making sure the data on your ETIAS are correct, if this is not the case, you will be refused entry. If your ETIAS application is denied, you will find instructions on how to appeal in the same rejection.
Do take careful note that having a valid ETIAS does not automatically grant you access to the EU countries; this is to the border guards to verify that you meet the entry conditions.

Exemptions

You do not need an ETIAS travel authorisation in the certain situations. We have selected a few here below, but refer you to the EU website for the complete list of exemptions.

• you are a national of a European country requiring the ETIAS,
• you are a national of any of these countries that need a physical visa to travel to any of the European countries that require the ETIAS,
• you are a national of the United Kingdom who is a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement,
• you are a national of Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, the holy See (the Vatican City State) or Ireland,
• you are a holder of a residence permit, or a residence card issued by any European country that requires ETIAS.

The EES also has a list of exemptions, please find a few shortlisted below:

• Nationals of the European countries using the EES, as well as Cyprus and Ireland,
• Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national,
• Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card or a residence permit and are immediately related to a non-EU national who can travel throughout Europe like an EU citizen,
• Non-EU nationals travelling to Europe as part of an intra-corporate transfer or for the purposes of research, studies, training, or voluntary service,
• Holders of residence permits and long-stay visas.

Santa Fe recommendation

The ETIAS can be requested by the travellers themselves or they can request their trusted immigration provider to do so by proxy. Santa Fe Relocation can assist you in the assessment to determine if you need the ETIAS prior to your travel as well as applying for your ETIAS on your behalf. Do reach out to your trusted immigration consultant with Santa Fe to inquire for the possibilities.

Contact us

Please get in touch with us for further information or clarification:

Karla Lowe
Principal Immigration Lawyer
Santa Fe Relocation
karla.lowe@santaferelo.com

Hema Jesani
Senior Manager Global Immigration
Santa Fe Relocation
hema.jesani@santaferelo.com

Anique Borchert
Manager Immigration BeNeLux
Santa Fe Relocation
anique.borchert@santaferelo.com

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