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Travel to Europe

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Where things stand

Key facts

Timeline

  1. The system has been fully operational since 10 April 2026 and has replaced passport stamping, so overstayers are now detected automatically. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES)
  2. The phased start was set to begin on 12 October 2025, about six months before full operation. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES)
  3. On 30 July 2025 the Commission fixed 12 October 2025 as the date the phased start would begin. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES)
  4. The phased-start law, Regulation (EU) 2025/1534, was adopted on 18 July 2025 and took effect on 26 July 2025. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES)
  5. Parliament and the Council agreed the phased start on 19 May 2025. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES)
  6. On 4 December 2024 the Commission proposed starting the system gradually rather than all at once. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES)
  7. The regulation entered into force on 29 December 2017, years before the system itself started. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES)
  8. The EES Regulation was adopted on 20 November 2017, together with a targeted change to the Schengen Borders Code. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES)
  9. The European Commission first proposed the system on 6 April 2016, in a revised package of border measures known as Smart Borders. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES)

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