Significant Alteration in EU Borders Since Establishment of the Schengen Zone
The European Union's Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, has introduced a groundbreaking initiative to streamline border checks with the launch of the Travel to Europe app and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). These innovative digital tools aim to make travel smoother and faster for millions entering the Schengen Area from visa-exempt countries.
ETIAS: A New Era of Border Security ------------------------------------
ETIAS, which stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is an electronic travel authorization required for citizens of visa-exempt countries who wish to enter the Schengen Area. The system is designed to enhance border security and migration management while offering a fast, simple, and inexpensive application process.
To apply for ETIAS, travelers submit personal information, travel plans, and background details online. The system then vets applicants against European security databases, and most approvals are granted within minutes. Once authorized, the ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years or until the passport expires, allowing multiple entries into the Schengen countries during that period. The cost is approximately €7 per person aged 18-70; children under 18 and seniors over 70 must also apply but for free.
The Travel to Europe App: A Digital Solution for ETIAS ----------------------------------------------------
While specific details on the "Travel to Europe app" are less explicit, it is implied that such an app would facilitate the ETIAS process by allowing travelers to apply, store, and present their ETIAS authorization digitally. This app would help travelers prepare in advance and speed up checks at borders by having the ETIAS linked directly to their electronic travel documents, reducing time-consuming manual checks.
Streamlining Border Checks: Benefits for All --------------------------------------------
ETIAS improves security without the lengthy visa application process. Border authorities can quickly verify a traveler’s authorization electronically, leading to faster and more efficient border control. The digital approach benefits both travelers and the tourism industry by reducing paperwork and administrative burdens.
The system helps prevent risks by pre-screening travelers before arrival. With the Travel to Europe app, travellers can upload their passport details and a selfie before arriving in Europe, allowing border officers to access much of the information they normally must manually enter into the Entry/Exit System (EES) at passport control.
Timeline: A Gradual Rollout ----------------------------
ETIAS is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026, following the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) starting from October 2025. During the initial phase, there will be a grace period before ETIAS becomes strictly mandatory for all travelers from eligible countries.
In summary, the ETIAS system and associated digital tools like the Travel to Europe app enhance security while making travel smoother and faster for millions entering the Schengen Zone from visa-exempt countries, by shifting border checks to an efficient online pre-authorization process. The expected outcome is faster processing, happier travellers, and less chaos at busy airports. The app provides member states with a ready-made solution for the Entry/Exit System (EES) scheduled to launch later this year.
In Portugal, travelers from eligible countries can now apply for ETIAS, an electronic travel authorization required to enter the Schengen Area, using the Travel to Europe app. This digital tool simplifies the ETIAS application process by allowing applicants to apply, store, and present their ETIAS authorization digitally, reducing manual checks at airports and streamlining border security.
