In November 2016, the European Commission put forth a proposal for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
This system’s primary aim is to bolster security checks for individuals traveling to EU countries without the need for visas.
Regarding the implementation of this system, the EU Delegation Office in Tirana, in response to inquiries from the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), clarified that “ETIAS will not become operational before the end of 2024. Additionally, six months before ETIAS goes live, a global information campaign will be launched”.
The EU Delegation also underscored that two new systems are set to be introduced.
Firstly, there’s the Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated system designed to register non-EU citizens traveling for short stays each time they cross the external borders of European countries that employ this system. This pertains to both travelers who don’t require visas and those necessitating visas for short stays. The EES will replace traditional passport stamps, streamlining the travel process for visitors.
Secondly, there’s ETIAS – the European Travel Information and Authorization System. This will come into effect six months after the EES and will serve as an entry requirement for non-EU citizens traveling to 30 European countries for short stays. Unlike the EES, ETIAS applies exclusively to citizens from countries that don’t require visas.
When asked about the implications for Albanian citizens and whether they’ll continue to enjoy unrestricted movement, the EU Delegation clarified, “To enter and stay in the territory of the 30 European countries requiring ETIAS for short stays (up to 90 days within any 180-day period), travelers will need an ETIAS travel authorization. However, with regard to freedom of movement, nothing will change, as ETIAS travel authorization is not a visa”.
“The 30 European countries requiring ETIAS travel authorization include all EU Member States except for Ireland, as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein,” explained the EU Delegation.
It’s important to note that travelers won’t receive a unique code before their trip.
“When an ETIAS travel authorization is granted, it will be directly linked to the traveler’s passport and remain valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If a traveler obtains a new passport, they’ll need to secure a new ETIAS travel authorization,” stated the EU Delegation.
“During this validity period, travelers with an active ETIAS travel authorization can freely enter the territory of the 30 European countries as many times as they want for short stays within the 90-day limit within any 180-day period, without the need for reapplication,” explained the EU Office for ATA.
However, it’s crucial to note that “ETIAS travel authorization does not guarantee entry. Upon arrival, border authorities will inspect passports and other documents to verify compliance with entry conditions”.
Furthermore, the EU Delegation highlighted the requirement for citizens applying for ETIAS travel authorization to possess biometric passports.
“If citizens hold any other passport type, they’ll need a visa to enter any European country requiring ETIAS.”
In cases where a traveler’s ETIAS application is denied for any reason, they have the right to reapply.
“A prior rejection won’t automatically lead to the rejection of a new application,” assured the EU Delegation.
“If your ETIAS application is denied, the decision will specify the reasons for rejection and provide information on the appeals process, which will be handled by the authorities of the country that rejected the application,” explained the EU Delegation in Tirana.
Regarding the number of countries included in the ETIAS system and how many will discontinue passport stamping at airports, the EU Delegation emphasized that “with the introduction of the ETIAS system, approximately 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries will need ETIAS travel authorization to enter the 30 European countries requiring ETIAS”.
“As previously mentioned, ETIAS is unrelated to passport stamping. Electronic verification will replace the current manual passport stamping system and will be administered through another system – the EES,” further elaborated the EU Delegation.
