New ETIAS dates

Good catch, Frank.
And folks, his source is the official EU website.

Nope, I wouldn't put money on it either.

THANK YOU.

Thanks Frank!
How many years have we seen a time frame? Three?

Took a look, just for fun. Here are 2 forum mentions almost exactly 6 years ago!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/length-of-stay-in-europe
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/new-required-travel-document-for-europe

What will all those social media people do? They’ve been terrifying people for months that this is happening any day now and you aren’t able to go to Europe anymore (of course they don’t know the difference between this and a Visa)

What will all those social media people do?

This is utterly off topic, but I find myself bemused by YouTubers who get tons of "likes" after giving people absolutely false information. It's a mystery. And "travel rules" is a particularly fertile ground for such nonsense.

The EES scheme will come in from October 2025, all things being equal (which I bet they won't).

Rollout timetable update issued 5.3.25 following meeting of EU Home Affairs ministers.

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/revised-timeline-ees-and-etias-2025-03-07_en

Thanks for this data Frank. Appreciate it.

Once the ETIAS is implemented, there will be 6-month grace period, then it will become mandatory. IF it's implemented in Oct. 2026, it won't become mandatory until April 2027 at the earliest: https://www.connexionfrance.com/practical/etias-travel-permit-for-eu-april-2027-earliest-date-for-enforcement/712710?utm_source=Master+List&utm_campaign=c43edb6e04-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_11_21_01_44_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-0861586e58-361176440

To give everyone context: This was initially proposed in late 2016, so it's been nearly 10 years of delays.

And the deadline of late 2026 is if everything goes on time. In that case, it could be up and running by early 2027, as someone else mentioned already. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets delayed to 2030 at this rate (not that I mind that, to be honest).

I hear it doesn’t matter if you’re over 65?? Not needed??

I hear it doesn’t matter if you’re over 65?? Not needed??

Not true.

Folks over 70 get it free, not that they won't need to have it.

Application fee
You will need a payment card to cover the EUR 7 fee. You can use a variety of online payment options to pay the fee.
Applicants who are under 18 or above 70 years of age are exempt from this payment. Also exempt are family members of EU citizens or of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union.

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/what-you-need-apply_en

but lots can change between now and when - if ever - it is actually implemented

I asked the immigration officer arriving in CPH on Friday from SFO when EES would be implemented, he just laughed and said, 'Yes!' When I asked what that meant, he said there was no way to know.