What is ETIAS and EES?: Your Essential Guide to Travelling To the EU
Author : Lara Ehmler
5th September 2024
But what exactly is ETIAS and EES, and how will they impact your walking holiday travel plans? In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about ETIAS and EES.
What is ETIAS?
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a new initiative by the European Union aimed at improving border security and managing the flow of visitors. Similar to the U.S. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), ETIAS will require non-EU citizens from visa-exempt countries to obtain travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area.
It is due to be introduced in mid-2025, but there is not yet an exact date as to when it will come into force. This means you do not need to have a ETIAS for travel to Europe at the moment.
The online application process is expected to be rather straightforward, involving the submission of personal details, travel information, and a series of security-related questions. Once the system has launched, you will be able to apply for an ETIAS by the official website – www.europa.eu/etias.
Who Needs to Apply for ETIAS?
ETIAS is mandatory for citizens of visa-exempt countries, such as the United Kingdom, who plan to travel to any of the 30 European countries within the Schengen Area. This includes our popular walking holiday destinations such as Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, France, Romania and Portugal.
Travellers from the United Kingdom will need to apply for ETIAS before their trip. It’s important to note that ETIAS is not a visa; rather, it’s a travel authorisation that grants you permission to enter and move freely within the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
So, for example, if you are heading on a walking holiday to the Austrian Alps with Collett’s, you can also head over to Germany for a day trip or as part of your travel to Ehrwald.
How much will an ETIAS cost?
ETIAS will only cost €7 (equivalent to around £6). ETIAS is free for those under the age of 18 and aged 71 and over. Once ETIAS is live, certain travellers may be exempt. You can find the list of exemptions here.
How long will it be valid for?
Once approved, an ETIAS authorisation is valid for three years or until the passport used during the application expires, whichever comes first. This means that frequent travellers won’t need to reapply every time they visit the EU, provided their authorisation is still valid.
Watch out for fake websites offering ETIAS
There are currently more than 60 unofficial websites offering ETIAS, despite the system not yet being live. Don’t use an unofficial website: there’s the risk that you will be overcharged, that you won’t get an ETIAS and that your personal information could be stolen.
The official ETIAS website is www.europa.eu/etias
What is EES?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is another significant initiative by the European Union designed to modernise border management and improve security within the Schengen Area. Unlike ETIAS, which is focused on pre-travel authorisation, EES is concerned with monitoring and recording the entry and exit of non-EU nationals.
EES is exptected to go live by 10th November 2024. This will initially mean a big change for UK holidaymakers when travelling to Europe, as you will need to provide your passport as well as have a photo of your face taken, and your fingerprints scanned. There will be more information provided by the European Commission and UK Government departments responsible for these changes closer to the launch date.
EES will eventually replace the current system of manually stamping passports at border crossings. However, there’s a potential for queues or delays when the system is first introduced, as the initial registration will mean it takes longer to process passengers. We recommend checking the official website of the European Union as well as your specific airport’s website for more detailed information.
How Will EES Work?
EES will be implemented at all external border crossing points of the Schengen Area, including airports, seaports, and land borders. When a non-EU national arrives at a border, their biometric data and travel documents will be scanned and recorded electronically. This information will be stored in a central database, accessible to border authorities across the EU.
The system will automatically calculate the duration of your stay, ensuring that you do not exceed the maximum allowed time of 90 days within any 180-day period. This automated system is expected to reduce waiting times at borders, as the need for manual passport stamping will be eliminated.
What Countries Use EES?
EES will be implemented across all 30 countries within the Schengen Area, which most of our European walking holidays are. All external borders of the Schengen Area will be equipped with the necessary technology to support EES, ensuring consistent and effective border management.
It’s important to note that while EES and ETIAS are closely linked, they serve different functions. ETIAS is focused on pre-travel authorisation and needs to be completed online prior to arriving in your destination, while EES is concerned with monitoring and recording the actual movement of travellers within the Schengen Area.
More information on EES can be found on the official website – EES – European Union (europa.eu)
Head to the Mountains with Collett’s
Whether you’re exploring the Europe’s mountains during our centre-based, village-to-village, hut-to-hut or guided walking holidays, knowing what to expect in advance of travelling, and at the border will help make your Collett’s holiday smoother and more enjoyable.
We hope this article provided you with some clarity on how travelling to the EU will change in the future. If you have any additional questions, please get in touch with our expert holiday planning team. We’re happy to help!
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