This year, the first key date affecting the new ETIAS – SEIAV form, which will come into effect very soon, is April 10. This date is crucial for the entire process that has been underway since September 5, 2018, and will culminate with the launch of ETIAS in October of this year. The reason this date is so important is that it marks the completion of the rollout of the Electronic Border Control System (EES) at all Schengen airports, an essential requirement for ETIAS – SEIAV to become fully operational.

We are less than three months away from this date, and this event marks the starting gun for the arrival of ETIAS – SEIAV. In principle, the goal is for ETIAS to launch on October 1, but there is a strong possibility that it will be brought forward if the final outcome of the EES rollout is optimal. If the issues arising from the implementation are not too numerous, or are easy to resolve, the entire process may be accelerated, and we could see ETIAS launched as early as this summer. However, ETIAS cannot begin until EES is fully operational, and only after a period of technical preparation and testing.

What is absolutely clear is that 2026 will be a pivotal year for Europe for a number of strategic, technological, and integration-related reasons, particularly in the areas of mobility, security, and borders:

Digital Transformation at the Borders: EES and ETIAS – SEIAV

• EES (Entry/Exit System): It is expected to be fully operational throughout the Schengen Area by April 10, 2026, replacing manual passport stamps and electronically recording the entries and exits of non-EU travelers.
• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System, SEIAV in Spanish): It relies on the EES and is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, marking a major step toward the digital management of European mobility and border security. This will allow for greater control of migration flows and enhanced security, while facilitating legal travel.

EU Integration and Modernization:

• 2026 is a year in which many of the EU’s digital infrastructures will be fully operational, including not only the EES and ETIAS-          SEIAV, but also systems for security information coordination and police cooperation.
• It marks a turning point in the interoperability of European systems, facilitating rapid decision-making on security, migration, and    emergencies.

Preparing for major international events:

• Many European countries are planning major sporting, cultural, and technology events in 2026, making the management of visitor and tourist flows critical.
• Having ETIAS, SEIAV, and EES up and running ensures that the screening of non-EU travelers is secure and efficient during these periods.

A political signal of unity:

• Launching ETIAS, SEIAV, and EES in 2026 also sends a message of cohesion within the Schengen Area, demonstrating that the EU can coordinate common border and security policies.
• It is a tangible step toward modernizing European mobility, which is particularly relevant in the context of debates on migration and security.

The Spanish government has invested tens of millions of euros (more than 83 million euros) to adapt border checkpoints (including airports and land crossings) to the EES requirements and comply with EU regulations. The EES began rolling out on October 12, 2025, at several locations, including the “first test” at Madrid-Barajas-Adolfo Suárez Airport. Other airports also joined the system starting in October 2025, and various land borders are being enabled according to the schedule.

The European Union established a six-month phased implementation period, running from October 2025 through April 10, 2026, by which date the EES is expected to be fully and mandatorily operational at all border points. This means that during this transition period, not all border crossings may be using the system at the same time, but Spain as a country has met the technical requirements to begin using it and continue its gradual rollout.