EU officials will join the call on 13 February from 11am to midday to deliver an update on the bloc’s new entry-exit scheme (EES) and Etias visa waiver regime, which are due to come into effect over the next 12 to 18 months.
The webinar will feature speakers from the European Commission’s directorate general for migration and home affairs (DG Home), which is responsible for the EES, as well as Frontex, the European border control agency in charge of Etias.
Everything you need to know about the EU’s new border rules
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said agents and other Abta member businesses would play a “very important role offering advice and guidance to their customers” in the lead-up to the new rules taking effect.
The new legislation will change the way British passport holders travel to 30 EU countries, including holiday favourites such as Spain, Italy and Greece.
Starting this autumn, travellers from so the UK and other non-EU countries will be automatically registered for EES, which will replace passport stamping with a series of biometric checks. Once complete, this biometric data will be held on file for three years, ensuring the system is automated for that period.
Meanwhile, from mid-2025, people from 60 visa-exempt countries – including the UK – will need to apply for an Etias visa waiver – similar to the US Esta regime.
The scheme, which costs €7 (£6) per person, will be linked to each traveller’s passport and will be valid for up to three years, allowing third-country nationals – such as those from the UK – to stay in the EU Schengen area for up to 90 days in any given six-month period.
“Frontex and DG Home are keen to work very closely with Abta in helping get the message out to members, customers and the wider industry about the changes coming down the line,” said Tanzer.
Last year, Advantage Travel Partnership chief Julia Lo Bue-Said said it was vital the roll-out of EES and Etias was accompanied by a “strong public awareness campaign”.
Her comments came after it emerged there are already fake Etias websites in operation, seeking to deceive travellers who may not be up to speed on the changes. Lo Bue-Said said it was important for both consumers and agents to know how to access the one official Etias portal.
