
The implementation by countries in the European Union's Schengen area of the European Travel Information and Authorization System, ETIAS, has been postponed again until the last quarter of 2026.
With over 37 million visitors to Europe each year, ETIAS is expected to have a significant impact on travel for people from outside the EU. All travellers, regardless of age, visiting EU countries will be required to obtain an approved ETIAS online before travelling. The document will be valid for three years or until the expiry of the passport, whichever comes first.
Any traveler who fails to obtain an ETIAS will not be allowed to board an aircraft or cruise ship bound for a member state. Airlines and cruise operators will be responsible for checking the validity of each passenger's ETIAS at check-in.
The new European Union Entry-Exit System (EES) was created in November 2017. But since then, implementation has been delayed because some of the bloc's member states are not yet ready to use it. The system is considered necessary to increase the security of the European Union, to have control over who enters the EU, as well as to prevent abuse by those who can enter without a visa but then do not respect the rules.
When it enters into force, the ETIAS document will be required to be obtained by Albanian citizens traveling to the EU, but also by other Western Balkan countries that have benefited from the abolition of Schengen visas.