ETIAS is on the move again; new target… 2027
It’s already October, and we still haven’t heard anything about the imminent launch of ETIAS. What’s going on?? European authorities continue to state that they will announce the launch date for ETIAS (SEIAV) well in advance, but they still haven’t set a definitive date. We’re waiting for the eu-LISA Steering Board to meet and agree on the final launch date.
What is eu-LISA? eu-LISA is a European Union agency responsible for managing and developing large-scale IT systems used in the areas of borders, migration, visas, asylum, security, and justice. It has been operational since 2012. And they are the ones who will determine the final launch date for ETIAS (SEIAV). Once the date is set, what are the next steps, and what will the timeline be?
Launch: Date to be determined shortly. You can apply for ETIAS, but it is not mandatory to have it approved.
Transition period: Launch date + 6 months. Any traveler may enter without ETIAS, provided they meet all other entry requirements. ETIAS is recommended, but not mandatory.
Grace period: Only travelers arriving for the first time after the end of the transition period may enter without ETIAS. All other travelers must have it.
Mandatory: ETIAS is mandatory for ALL travelers bound for a Schengen country. Airlines will verify it before boarding, and travelers without authorization will not be allowed to board.
With these guidelines in mind, we need to be very careful starting in 2027 and make sure our documentation is in order. The first thing to do is check that our passport is valid—that it hasn’t expired. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve arrived at the airport with an expired passport and an ETIAS application that wasn’t handled properly.
Keep in mind that each passport has its own number, so you’ll need to resubmit the form with the new passport’s details and number.
We’re getting closer and closer to the launch of ETIAS—SEIAV—and to a time when the way we travel to Europe will change radically and permanently.