The European Union has introduced two travel systems: the Entry/Exit System (“EES”) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (“ETIAS”).

As stated, these systems were implemented to enhance security and travel efficiency, and are part of a broader strategy by the European Union to strengthen borders and regulate migration, ensuring that entry into the territory is both safe and convenient for travelers.

Below, we provide more information about these systems, which will be implemented in the near future.

EES

The EES is an entry/exit registration system that requires the registration of travelers, with or without a visa, who are not EU citizens or citizens of any EU member state, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, or Iceland, for entry into the territory of the 27 Schengen countries, Bulgaria, and Romania (the “EES territory“).

The primary function of this system is to enhance border control and improve security, and it will be implemented on November 1, 2024.

Travelers mentioned above will be registered upon entering the EES territory, and this registration applies to short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and must be done for each individual trip.

Registration will replace traditional manual passport stamping and can be done in several ways:

• Through a mobile application;
• Through the official website;
• At the border crossing using self-service equipment;
• At passport control at the border crossing.

Travelers will be able to access their registered information for verification in the same ways.

The system will record data from passports (first name, last name, nationality, etc.), biometric data (fingerprints, photographs), time of entry and exit, as well as other information such as travel bans and similar data.

Since this data remains in the system after the initial registration, subsequent registrations will be faster, thus facilitating border crossings.

Additionally, registration will be free, making it easier for travelers to access the system.

ETIAS

The ETIAS is a system that enables the collection of information and travel authorization, requiring citizens of visa-exempt countries to apply for entry into 30 European countries. This includes full members of the Schengen Area, future members, as well as EFTA countries within the Schengen Agreement (the “ETIAS territory“).

This system will function as an electronic visa waiver for citizens of selected visa-exempt countries, meaning that fulfilling the ETIAS requirements indicates that the traveler does not need a visa to enter the countries within the ETIAS territory.

This system will operate in such a way that the application must be submitted prior to entering the ETIAS territory, and travelers can do this in two ways:

• Through a mobile application;
• Through the official website.

Additionally, applications can be submitted on behalf of another person, with their authorization.

To complete the application, travelers will need valid travel documents and a payment card, and they will be required to provide personal details.

Not all travel documents are accepted for ETIAS; for citizens of the Republic of Serbia, a traveler can apply for ETIAS travel authorization if they possess a biometric passport.

The travel document must be valid for at least 3 months and no older than 10 years.

Travelers will be required to provide the following information:

• Personal details (first name, last name, date and place of birth, nationality, address, names of parents, email, and phone number);
• Details about the travel document;
• Level of education and current employment;
• Information about the planned travel to countries requiring ETIAS;
• Details about criminal convictions or previous travel to conflict zones;
• Information about the person applying on behalf of another, including their relationship to the applicant and confirmation of authorization.

Unlike the EES system, which is free, registration in the ETIAS system will incur a fee of 7 EUR, and payment will be made online via credit card.

The application approval process can take from 4 to 30 days due to the complexity of the ETIAS procedure compared to the EES process. Therefore, it is recommended to submit the application as early as possible, no later than 96 hours before traveling.

After submitting the application, the traveler will receive an email with a unique ETIAS application number, which should be kept for future reference. They will also be notified in the same manner if their application is denied, in which case they have the right to appeal.

The ETIAS approval will be linked to the traveler’s passport, so travelers must carry it during their journey and it is valid for up to 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

In the event of a passport change, a new ETIAS approval will be required.

With a valid ETIAS approval, travelers can enter the ETIAS territory multiple times for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

ETIAS does not guarantee automatic entry, as border police will check the traveler’s passport and other documents to ensure they meet the entry requirements.

The ETIAS system will be implemented from mid-2025, with a six-month grace period.

As stated, the application form will be available on the official website once the implementation of these systems begins (here).

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you need further information, feel free to contact us.