In 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, also known as ETIAS, will be implemented to enhance security in Europe and clamp down on illegal cross-border activities. Additionally, ETIAS is anticipated to play a role in preventing, or limiting, potential health crises like the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Beyond these primary goals, it is predicted that traveling to and within the European Union and Schengen Area will be more streamlined, efficient, and enjoyable for future visitors, despite of the duration or purpose of their trip.
Can ETIAS improve pre-screening security checks’ efficiency?
Can ETIAS improve pre-screening security checks’ efficiency?
Indeed, non-EU nationals who can travel visa-free to Europe are presently subject to scrutiny only by border officials and that too only if there is any reason for doubt. Since security authorities have limited or no knowledge about visa-exempt visitors, the checking procedure conducted at border checkpoints or airports can become quite lengthy and inconvenient for travelers with a fixed itinerary.
Introducing a visa system for Europe could have been a potential key to the problem. Still, its implementation and operation would have been a complex and challenging bureaucratic and high-tech endeavor, requiring uniformity, accessibility, and comprehensibility across numerous countries. Hence, ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), emerged as the solution – an electronic system, akin to the American ESTA, which verifies passports digitally and is connected to other systems.
Similar to a regular visa, the information that applicants must provide during the ETIAS application process is designed to ensure the safety and security of the European Union and Schengen Area. Along with personal and passport information, the application also asks for details about any previous criminal convictions, arrests, or charges. This information is used to assess the applicant’s risk level and determine whether they pose a security threat. Furthermore, ETIAS requires applicants to disclose any severe medical conditions they may have, with a specific focus on infectious and communicable diseases that could potentially spread to others. This information is collected to mitigate the risk of a widespread health crisis within the EU and Schengen Area.
After an applicant submits their information, it undergoes a thorough verification process against multiple EU databases. Depending on the results of this check, an ETIAS may be either approved or rejected.
For those whose ETIAS application is accepted, their personal information is securely stored in the central ETIAS database, which can be accessed promptly by authorized entities. This centralized storage system facilitates easy and efficient access to relevant information by authorized personnel, enhancing security and facilitating travel processes.
An approved ETIAS passport can be quickly scanned by security personnel, indicating that the passport-holder traveler has passed the requisite checks and can proceed with minimal delay. It is important to note, however, that possessing a valid ETIAS does not necessarily assures the right to enter any given country, as final authorization rests with the border authorities and is subject to their discretion.
Can we expect an improvement in travel security with the implementation of ETIAS?
Yes, you can. In addition to the ETIAS, the European Union and Schengen Area countries utilize an Entry/Exit System (EES) to monitor the movements of non-EU passport holders within the region. The system tracks the entry and exit of travelers across European borders and maintains a record of the following data:
- The name of the passport bearer
- The kind of travel document utilized
- Data related to biometrics, specifically the individual’s facial image and fingerprints
- The dates of arrival and departure
- The locations of arrival and departure.
ETIAS, in conjunction with EES, provides an additional layer of security for Europe, as it helps to deter illegal immigration and identify individuals who have exceeded the authorized stay period or are likely to do so.
Replacing the previous passport stamping system, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will offer a more comprehensive overview of an individual’s whereabouts and the duration of their stay. Moreover, any instances of denied entry, deportation, or exceeding the permitted time limit will be documented.
By implementing an automated system with machines for scanning passports, third-country nationals who have been given clearance could be allowed to proceed quickly and without delays. The manual process of checking and stamping passports, which is currently causing long queues, could be replaced with a process that takes only seconds.
Can the implementation of ETIAS reduce the waiting times at borders?
Definitely. One of the most significant frustrations for modern travelers is the extended periods spent in queues. An expeditious and streamlined process that necessitates the provision of biometric data, like fingerprints and facial scans, would be appreciated by travelers to reduce the amount of time spent waiting at sea terminals,airports and border crossings.
Once ETIAS is operational, transportation authorities can quickly confirm that a passenger has been cleared for travel by scanning their passport. Additionally, the accompanying EES biometric data will enable the monitoring of travellers’ movements within Europe.
When the ETIAS and EES systems are functioning in conjunction, they hold the promise of effectively doing away with the requirement for queuing at different entry points across Europe, such as sea and ferry terminals, airports, international train stations, and border crossings.
This is because ETIAS will allow for a quick scan of a passport, indicating whether a passenger has been approved for travel or not, while EES will monitor the movements of travelers within Europe, recording their biometric data and details of their entry and exit dates and locations. By integrating these two systems, the process of verifying a traveler’s authorization to enter a European country could be streamlined, making the experience much more efficient and less time-consuming.
What measures will continue to be in place as safeguards from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Although there has been a decrease in the number of visitors to Europe due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, long queues are still a common problem for travellers at airports and sea terminals. The checks for additional COVID-19 documents, such as certification of vaccination and passenger locator forms, have resulted in a significant slowdown of the check-in process. However, the situation is expected to improve with the launch of ETIAS in 2025. This is because the ETIAS application form contains a section dedicated to health and medical history, and the information provided could potentially expedite the processing times at check-in desks.
Could you explain the data protection standards of ETIAS?
EU authorities consider data protection to be a critical issue and ensuring the security of a traveler’s personal information is of the highest priority. The personal and confidential information contained within the ETIAS application form (as well as the EES data bank to a lesser extent) must be safeguarded appropriately.
The agencies overseeing ETIAS and EES, including the ETIAS Central Unit, ETIAS National Units, and eu-LISA, which manages the Schengen Information System (SIS), will have to fulfill certain requirements to ensure data protection. These requirements are:
- The data must be stored in an encrypted format
- Access to the data should only be granted to recognised, authorised, and responsible authorities
The retention period for any information stored will either be until the expiry of the ETIAS or for a maximum of five years after the last instance of ETIAS refusal or revocation.
What improvements can be anticipated upon the implementation of ETIAS?
The introduction of ETIAS is expected to reduce the paperwork and processing time required for travel as it is electronically linked to a passport. This means that security and medical screening will be done at the point of departure instead of upon arrival, resulting in:
- Reduced waiting times at border checkpoints and points of departure
- Europe will see an improvement in security
- Enhanced detection of possible health hazards through better screening
- Visiting non-nationals will experience faster and more streamlined processing
- Enhanced monitoring of non-nationals throughout the wider European region
Undoubtedly, these advantages of ETIAS and EES are projected by EU officials, however, it remains to be seen whether any or all of them will materialize.