Nautilus is advising members, especially those working in the yacht sector, to be aware of two changes to rules regarding entry into the Schengen Area which are expected to come into force during late 2024 and 2025.
These changes will affect those on short stay visas, or from visa exempt non-EU countries.
The new EES (Entry/Exit System) is set to replace the current system of manual passport stamping for non-EU citizens entering the Schengen area. This system will collect information such as names, the type of travel document used, and place of entry/exit as well as biometric data such as fingerprints. The new system aims to provide more robust data for Schengen states to detect irregular patterns of migration, as well as to speed up the border crossing process.
The launch of the system has been delayed several times. Most recently, it was slated for launch on 10 November 2024 but this has been postponed again, and the EU is now considering a phased introduction.
The second change, set to be implemented in mid-2025 but with no exact date confirmed, is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which aims to detect irregular migration, as well as security or epidemic risks posed by short-stay visitors from visa-exempt countries into the Schengen area.
The new system will mean that non-EU nationals who do not require a visa to enter the Schengen Area will need to apply for travel authorisation via the online ETIAS system prior to their visit, at a cost of €7.
The system will conduct security checks against EU information systems and ‘in the vast majority of cases, issue a travel authorization within minutes’, according to the European Commission. In cases where further checks are needed, authorisation could take up to 30 days. Once granted, the authorisation pass is valid for three years.
Travellers will be required to present their ETIAS authorisation alongside other travel documents to border authorities when entering the Schengen Area.
The Commission says that both systems will operate ‘in full respect of fundamental rights and data protection principles’ and will be implemented alongside regular checks such as passport inspection.
Nautilus will update members as these new systems come into operation.
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