Starting sometime in 2025, New Zealand passport holders will require an ETIAS Travel Authorisation to visit EU countries. However, the program has faced numerous delays.
Initially approved in 2016, the ETIAS system was meant to launch in 2020. Yet, due to various setbacks, its implementation has been repeatedly postponed.
In 2022, EU authorities moved the launch to 2023, then to 2024, and now 2025 has been set as the new target date. It’s been a waiting game, but the EU assures travelers that this time it’s for real.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a visa waiver system designed for citizens of countries outside the EU, who typically don’t need a visa to enter. For those from nations still requiring visas, the system doesn’t apply, but countries like New Zealand—considered low-risk—fall under the ETIAS framework.
The ETIAS application can only be completed online, through the official website or mobile app (currently under development). The process involves filling out a form, paying a €7 (around NZ$12.50) fee, and awaiting approval via email. Applicants under 18 or over 70 are exempt from paying the fee.
Once approved, the ETIAS allows travel across the Schengen Zone, as well as several non-Schengen countries, for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
ETIAS applies to almost all European countries, with a few exceptions like some Balkan nations. The travel authorisation is valid for three years or until the passport expires, during which multiple entries are permitted.
Travelers should also be cautious of unofficial websites posing as the ETIAS portal, which may charge higher fees or attempt to scam users by collecting sensitive payment information.
Entry Process Without Stamps
Another significant change on the horizon is the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), set to begin on November 10, 2024. This automated system will replace the traditional passport stamp with a digital record of entry and exit.
The EES will collect details like traveler names, passport information, and biometric data—such as fingerprints and a facial scan—when entering and leaving the EU. This data will be stored for three years, streamlining future trips.
Once implemented, EES is expected to improve security and efficiency at EU borders. It aims to cut down on lengthy immigration queues, especially at busy airports like Hamburg and Paris’ Charles de Gaulle, by allowing eligible travelers to pass through more quickly using self-service kiosks.
For New Zealanders, EES will also make it easier to manage the 90-day travel limit within the Schengen Zone. Previously, travelers had to ensure their passports were stamped when leaving the Schengen area, to prove their departure and avoid exceeding the time limit. With the EES in place, this process will be tracked electronically, simplifying travel for those visiting other European countries during their trip.
