EU visa-free travel to be reestablished in 2022

The European Commission plans to reorganize the border-free Schengen Area, considering late declarations by French president Emmanuel Macron.

“We are examining the fate of Schengen in a continuous cycle and we are attempting to adjust to the manner in which it adapts to the new reality,” European Commission press representative Eric Mamer told journalists in November 2020.

Macron recently requested an upgrade of the Schengen zone that traverses 26 nations, following the terror incidents in Paris and Nice.

The French president is requesting more strict boundary controls of the European Union, particularly with Spain, and such endeavors are now already in the pipeline.

France has insisted on the interior controls for as long as five years, generally for security reasons in the midst of an on-going highly sensitive situation. Others like Austria, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and non-EU state Norway additionally refer to migratory movements as an explanation.

The EU’s border guard organization, Frontex, has started hiring new specialists in January 2021. This first batch of specialists will empower a much bigger organization of more than 10,000 new Frontex employees.

“We are drawing a connection between the improvement and future of Schengen, and the long-awaited migration and asylum pact settlement,” noted Mamer.

Related comments were made in September by EC President Ursula von der Leyen, when she reported the commission is about to suggest a new approach towards a pending Schengen update.

First Schengen Forum in November 2020, attended by EU interior ministers along with Ursula von der Leyen, EC VP Margaritis Schinas, and the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, was announced as a fundamental event “towards a stronger and more resilient Schengen area”.

How will those Schengen Area changes reflect on travelers?

Most of the updates are generally on the overseeing and arranging side rather than changes that residents or voyagers will ever notice. The greatest innovation will be in late 2022, when the ETIAS becomes mandatory, and visitors from nations who are now enjoying visa-free travel, would have to apply for an ETIAS as a requisition to entering Europe.

The positive feedback from the First Schengen Forum has resulted in follow-up discussions and another Schengen Forum scheduled for Spring 2021, where any challenges that were noticed in the interim months will be put on the table.

More ETIAS details were communicated to a broader audience

In late 2022, the European Union is planning to launch ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) in order to support its travel policies. The ETIAS will serve as a visa waiver for citizens from nations whose residents at the present moment enjoy a visa-free to travel to Europe.

The ETIAS visa waiver would work pretty much as other electronic visa applications do, similar electronic travel authorizations are the US ESTA and the Canada ETA. They are all falling under the category of special travel permits, and not an actual visa.

Any eligible candidate from a specified nation would apply a couple of days before their planned trip by submitting an online ETIAS application form, and would wait for its positive confirmation.

While this new process may feel like a burden for tourists who were not obliged to apply for extra travel permit until now, EU leaders confirmed that ETIAS would be fast and simple to obtain. The final result aims to create a safer environment for both travelers and citizens within EU borders.

ETIAS might affect the Schengen Area as well

One of the valued achievements of the European Union is the setup and upkeep of the Schengen Area, which comprises 26 European member countries.

The Schengen Area got its name from the city, where the first settlement was signed, Schengen in Luxembourg, when representatives from five of the current ten European Communities put pen to paper back in 1985.

The motivation behind the initial Schengen Area formation was to cancel identification control for individuals who were crossing starting with one part state then onto the next. This objective was implied to help facilitate the challenges for workers, who needed to cross a European boundary on daily basis, but also to support the travel industry thru the whole span of the EU.

The expansion from five nations to 26 in the following 35 years has grown the travel industry ventures throughout Europe by allowing non European nationals, who were arranging their trips to visit various spots and countries without caring about visa applications or considerable delays at borderline control.

There were five main topics undergoing current discussions:

• Changes that were intended to target and improve the Schengen Area’s present frameworks for observing and ID
• Foundation of a regular Schengen Forum to constantly check the situation and any available options for enhancement
• Long-awaited refresh of the Schengen Borders Code, which will further guarantee that the opportunity of free movement while supporting advanced safety concepts
• Stronger and more effective communication frameworks among police and border authorities. The purpose is to create a common process to deal with recognizing and following potential emergencies
• The last topic was the previously mentioned ETIAS, which is planned above all else to guarantee that the residents and travellers inside the Schengen Area are as free and safe from threats as possible

The post EU visa-free travel to be reestablished in 2022 appeared first on ETIAS VISA Schengen.

Article source here: EU visa-free travel to be reestablished in 2022

Europe Bucket-List Destinations in to Include in Your Travel Plans

A lot of you may have put off your travel plans because of the pandemic. But as positive developments emerge, your travel hiatus may soon be over. The best thing to do now is to plan for am awesome holiday. You can start with some of the bucket list destinations in Europe that can bring your travel enthusiasm back!

8 Bucket-List Destinations in Europe for Your Future Travel Plans

 

There are so many countries to visit in Europe and each has its unique history and colorful culture. If you’re planning to travel again, prepare your ETIAS visa and other travel documents to unlock the destinations that guarantee to take your breath away!

 

1.  Eiffel Tower

Planning to visit Paris? You shouldn’t miss the structure known as France’s cultural icon. Eiffel tower was constructed between 1887 and 1889. It used to be the tallest building in the world. Now, the first two levels of this 81-storey wrought iron lattice-designed structure house restaurants. With almost 7 million visitors per year, it has become the most-visited paid monument in the world.

 

2. Sagrada Familia – Barcelona, Spain

If you want to visit Spain, take the effort to visit this gigantic structure in Barcelona. Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a large unfinished church that forms the skyline of the city. It combines curvilinear Art Nouveau and Gothic architectural styles. Its completion was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. In 2010, it was consecrated by Pope Benedict as a minor basilica. 

FACT:

Plans to complete the structure in 2026 have been made in time for the centennial death anniversary of its architect, Antoni Gaudi.

 

3. Acropolis of Athens

Greece is known as a country rich in history as there are a lot of important events that occurred in this country. The Acropolis of Athens can be found on a rocky outcrop outside of Athens. It is also where ruins of ancient structures with historical and architectural significance can be found. Some of its most popular ruins include the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheioun, and the Propylaia.

 

4. The Louvre

Do you have a passion for art, history, and culture? Make sure to drop by The Louvre in Paris during your European trip. As the largest art museum in the world, it is one of the top attractions in the city. It is also known as the world’s most visited museum as it attracted 7.3 million visitors.

DID YOU KNOW: 

Though The Louvre now houses amazing pieces from world-renowned artists, it was originally created as a fortress during the 12th century under the instruction of Philip II.

 

5. Van Gogh Museum 

Another museum not to be missed when touring Europe is the Van Gogh museum. Located in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the majority of its pieces are from the famous Vincent van Gogh. However, it also includes the works of his contemporary artists from Amsterdam.

 

6. The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Recognized as one of the world’s most iconic structures, tourists who visit Pisa usually want to personally see this famous structure. It was built throughout the 12th century as the bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral standing at more than 183 feet in height and with seven bells.

DID YOU KNOW:

The popularity of The Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually due to architectural and engineering errors that caused it to lean. As the lean increased over the decades, steps were taken in the late 20th century to stabilize the structure.

 

7. Colosseum

In Rome, Italy, the Colosseum is one of the most famous landmarks. It was constructed from
AD 72 to AD 96 under the reigns of three emperors of the Flavian dynasty. It is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre that used to host gladiator contests. The oval structure can hold up to 80,000 people and have been used for other purposes over the years. Now, the ruins of the amphitheatre serve purely as an attraction for thousands of visitors per year.

 

8. Stonehenge

If you’ll be visiting England, Stonehenge is a must-see! Located between Salisbury and Amesbury in Wiltshire, this prehistoric monument is one of the most unusual attractions in Europe. Believed to be constructed between 3000 BC and 2000 BC, it consists of a ring of a large standing stone that weighs approximately 25 tons each and around 13 feet in height. 

DID YOU KNOW: 

Why Stonehenge was formed remains a topic of hot debate. The site became legally protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1882. In 1986, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Whatever your interest is, there are lots of bucket-list destinations in Europe ready to amaze you. These are just some of those on top of the list, there are still lots of places that will leave you mesmerized while traveling this continent!

 

ALSO READ: IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR FIRST-TIME TRAVELLERS TO EUROPE

 

Already planning for a holiday in the near future? Don’t forget the travel documents that you need to prepare. We can help you on ETIAS Visa application.

Send us an inquiry today so we can help you.

The post Europe Bucket-List Destinations in to Include in Your Travel Plans appeared first on ETIAS VISA Schengen.

Article source here: Europe Bucket-List Destinations in to Include in Your Travel Plans