ETIAS Launch Date Officially Postponed to Spring 2025, EU Council Confirms

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) launch date has been officially postponed to spring 2025, according to the Council of the European Union. The Council confirmed the delay, stating that while the specific month was not specified, the system might go live in May 2025.

This postponement comes only a month after initial reports suggested that ETIAS would not be operational until 2024. The Entry/Exit System (EES), which has been repeatedly delayed alongside ETIAS, will also not become operational until autumn 2024.

The Council shared this updated timeline for the rollout and interoperability of EU information systems during a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. EU ministers were informed about the revised timeline for these crucial systems.

An EU official had previously explained that due to unforeseen delays in the implementation of the EES, the ETIAS launch was pushed to May 2025, with the possibility of further delays if additional obstacles arose. The official stated, "We had initially hoped for the EES to become operational by the end of this year or, at the latest, the beginning of the next year. Due to unforeseen delays, it has become evident that this timeline is unattainable."

Furthermore, the EU Commission Spokesperson for Home Affairs, Anitta Hipper, emphasized that ETIAS cannot become operational without the Entry/Exit System.

ETIAS is designed as an entry requirement for visa-exempt travelers heading to any of the 30 European Union countries. Once operational, it will require citizens of over 60 countries who do not need a visa to enter the EU to apply for ETIAS travel authorization. The system will cross-reference applicant information with data from other EU systems, including the Schengen Information System (SIS), Entry/Exit System (EES), and Visa Information System (VIS).

The Entry/Exit System (EES) was established to register entry and exit data of non-EU nationals crossing the external borders of EU Member States. Its primary aim is to enhance border security, strengthen the external borders of the Schengen area, and improve the safety of its citizens.

By fLEXI tEAM