Starting at the end of 2022, non-EU citizens will have to register whenever they wish to travel between EU Member States. This applies to the citizens of the 62 countries currently exempt from applying for a visa to enter the EU.
According to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), this security measure will become mandatory in 2023.
Initially, the system was planned to come into place in 2021. The extended timeline is meant to allow travellers and border control checks the possibility adapt in good time.
The rationale behind this measure is to make sure that applicants do not pose a security risk to the EU Member States. The registration cost is expected to be 7 euros, but people under 18 will not need to pay the fee.
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The new system will apply to travellers from countries such as Canada, Australia, the United States, and Japan.
The Schengen Area is an area comprising 26 European nations that have abolished the controls of their shared external borders. It is important not confuse the Schengen Area with the European Union. There are member states of the EU that are part of the Schengen Area and member states that are not.
Among the 26 member countries of the Schengen Area there are 22 EU member countries, 4 member countries of the Free Trade Association, and 3 micro-states. The Schengen Agreement removed border control checks between 22 out of 27 Member States and 4 non-EU members since 1995.
