“Different steps are legally required before the commission could take the formal decision, but I am proud to reveal today that 10 November is the target day,” she added. “When that happens, it will be goodbye to passport stamping, hello to digital checks for all passengers from outside the EU - making travel easier and border checks gradually faster.
“At every single airport, every single harbour and every single road into Europe, we will have digital border controls - all connected, all switched on at the very same time.” Johansson said that the next stage in the digitalisation of the EU border process – the introduction of the ETIAS travel system for non-EU visitors – would follow “quickly” and is due to go live in the first half of 2025.
This will require visitors from 60 visa-free countries, including the UK, to obtain a new electronic travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries. The fee for ETIAS will be €7 for those aged 18 to 70 and it will be valid for three years.
The European Union Entry and Exit Scheme will register non-EU nationals each time they cross the external borders of participating European countries – EU member states except Cyprus and Ireland, plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The EES system will automate border control procedures and replace passport stamping. The traveller’s personal data will be stored with the date of entry or exit.
It will apply to non-EU nationals travelling to a European country for short stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period or on a short-stay visa. It does not apply to holders of residence permits and long-stay visas. The system will make it easier to identify travellers who have no right to enter the zone or have over-stayed in the participating countries, and to detect false identities or passports.
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Richard PearsonYou're English. It's >ME< that belongs to "everybody else". I don't remember ever demeaning "everybody else". Do you? But "foreigners", "boat people", "commies", "illegals" ... the Welsh... and "everybody else" ... It's all the same to you. They're all inferior in some way. Most laughable, you're also an "illegal", but you seem to believe you're "entitled" by accident of birth. Is that a "benefits street" thing? You're not actually "white dee" are you? Are you starting to sense any irony there?
“And they don't need to constantly reassure themselves of their superiority by demeaning everybody else” Look who’s talking.
CompoMost British expats choose to move to a British enclave, where they can maintain the "safety" of their British insularity. However, many choose to actually integrate, and in that process, discover not only that what they've been led to believe is largely a load of poppycock, but that they're actually seen as rather amusing by those backward foreigners, who not only quietly enjoy a higher quality of life, but are better educated and more grounded in reality. And they don't need to constantly reassure themselves of their superiority by demeaning everybody else. But I have to admit, it is rather amusing to watch the irony of it. And this has nothing to do with "commies", Richard. You like to blame everything on that, but again, break out of the safety of your "little Englander" insularity, and you will eventually discover that. The fact remains that in the highly unlikely event that Brits would vanish from Mallorca or Spain over yet another petty tabloid-fabricated indignity, the impact would be minimal (and in some cases, might actually be an improvement). In Richard's case, he may end up being forced to anyway. So, go ahead and leave. You'll still be able to moan about how everything is crap, and everybody everybody else will be happy not to hear it anymore.
Williams, You really should know that the term “illegal” is frowned upon, especially by the more liberal (socialist) well meaning strata of society. You should now refer to them (and me) as undocumented migrants. Which will mean, amongst other things, that we will receive free accommodation, sustenance, health and medical care and the ability to travel, unrestricted, between EU member States. All paid for by your ever increasing business and personal income taxes. Life is good !
Morgan WilliamsOne of the least attractive traits of British expats is the need to take every opportunity to run down the country and its citizens they have left behind. It’s almost as if this is the only way they can make themselves feel good about leaving. Yet no chance of giving up their uk pensions and their uk passport and citizenship In case you hadn’t twigged, you come across as one of these Mr Williams.
BeachcomberSurely you're aware that this does not apply to EU citizens, travelling in or out of the EU, who outnumber British tourists here by many orders of magnitude. There is no Brussels master for Europeans to "bow" to. It doesn't affect them. And they'll still keep coming, year after year. Just like they always have. Why not? And surely you're also aware that there are "illegal immigrants" everywhere. Particularly in the UK. So many in fact, that the home office hasn't a clue how many - but they estimate in the millions. After all, there is no reliable system in the UK to account for them. But this system will be very effective at that. Just ask Richard about his newfound fear of getting caught after living here illegally for many years. And "Majorca" isn't a "country" let alone a "third world" one. And no, it's not the cheap 3* third world resort you're demanding (hoping) it to be. Face it, it's just becoming a bit out of your league now. So, yes, go find another cheap boozy holiday destination to piss on and moan about in your self-instigated indignation. We already have more tourists than we need, the quality of offerings are steadily improving, and demand is only increasing as a result. I don't think anybody will be crying about losing one of the least desirable tourist profiles anyway. Besides, there's plenty more desirable tourists who will be delighted to take your place.
BeachcomberYeah 'Majorca' is a third world country, if only we could be more like British sea side towns like Blackpool, Morecombe, Southend, Bognor Regis etc
The whole thing is laughable and another example of EU bureaucracy as the good little Europeans have to bow down to their Brussels masters. The net result is that Cyprus (not in the new scheme) and Turkey will enjoy a boom in tourism next year whilst the rest of Europe looks at their rows of empty deckchairs. In Majorca there are so many illegal immigrants including violent Algerians caught robbing people and property and they cannot even be locked up and deported back to Algeria. Majorca has become a complete joke third world country.
Morgan WilliamsNot just Brits at all. 60 countries, including the USA, Japan. Affected by this. Both large European source tourism and business countries. As I said , the early bird bookers will soon be contemplating the spring and Easter vacation booking’s. The ski holiday industry starts in November peaks in February through to April. Early 2025 and no fixed introduction date for the entry visa waiver application.
Wasn't it designed specifically to abuse innocent Brits? The tabloids seem to think so.