The European Union Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs has confirmed that the implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be gradual, consisting of a transitional and grace period.

As the Directorate-General has explained, as soon as ETIAS is launched, there will be a six-month transitional period during which travellers should apply for travel authorisation.

However, during this transitional period, travellers will still be permitted to enter the EU even if they have not applied for their ETIAS travel authorisation provided that they meet the other entry requirements, Schengen.News reports.

The launch of ETIAS will be followed by a transitional period of at least six months. This means that, for travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their ETIAS travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.

Travellers Must Have ETIAS Travel Authorisation During Grace Period, Except in One Case

As soon as the transitional period ends, there will be a grace period, during which travellers must have an ETIAS travel authorisation in order to be permitted entry into the EU member states.

Nonetheless, there is an exception. Those who are entering the EU for the first time during the grace period since the end of the transitional period will be permitted to enter without travel authorisation as long as they fulfil the remaining entry criteria.

As for the other travellers who do not fall under this category, they will be refused entry into the EU if they do not hold an ETIAS travel authorisation when travelling to the bloc during the grace period.

All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold an ETIAS travel authorisation. The grace period will last at least six months.

EU Reminds Travellers That They Will Need ETIAS Few Months After EES System Becomes Effective

In addition to explaining the rules during the transitional and grace period, the EU also reminded travellers that they will need the ETIAS travel authorisation only a few months after the Entry/Exit System (EES) enters into force.

Since the launch date of the EES has not been announced yet following the last postponement, it is believed that ETIAS won’t be needed until the end of 2025 or until 2026.

The launch of ETIAS will take place a few months after the introduction of the Entry-Exit System (the EES).

The ETIAS travel requirement will apply to all foreign nationals who are permitted visa-free entry into the EU. Once the ETIAS is implemented, applications be made via the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile app. The ETIAS travel authorisation will cost €7 and the document will remain valid for a period of three years