EU Plans to Transition to Electronic Visas by 2028

The European Commission has published a new report detailing the digitalization of the Schengen Area’s entry system. According to Schengen.news, the transition to electronic visas for third-country nationals is planned for 2028. The reform aims to enhance security while simplifying border crossing procedures.

EES and ETIAS: Key Systems for Border Management

The report emphasizes the critical role of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS in minimizing security risks:
- EES is scheduled to launch its first phase in October 2025, followed by gradual rollouts.
- The phased approach will allow countries to better prepare and fix technical issues.
- A new visa application platform for third-country nationals will begin development in 2026, with full deployment expected in 2028.

The new digital visa system is intended to:
- Accelerate application processes
- Reduce administrative burden
- Strengthen security by eliminating document forgery risks

Schengen Remains the World’s Top Travel Destination

The report highlights that the Schengen Area was visited by over half a billion people, reaffirming its position as the world’s most visited region.

Positive trends include:
- A significant decrease in illegal border crossings — the lowest since 2021
- Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area, strengthening EU economic integration

Realistic Timelines and Potential Delays

Although the EU aims to implement digital visas by 2028, previous delays in EES and ETIAS deployments suggest that timelines may shift.

EES is set to begin on October 1, 2025, according to the official EU travel portal. Initially, passports will still be manually stamped in Cyprus and Ireland.

EES will register:
- Traveler’s personal data (name, date of birth)
- Biometric data (fingerprints, photo)
- Dates and places of entry/exit
- Any entry refusals

Data will be shared across all Schengen countries to monitor compliance with stay regulations.

ETIAS: Next Phase After EES

Following EES, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will launch in Q4 2026:
- Designed for nationals of about 60 non-EU countries (e.g., USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand) who currently enjoy visa-free access.
- Travelers must apply for ETIAS authorization at least 96 hours before their trip.
- A fee will apply, and additional security screening will be performed.

The primary goal is to boost security while learning from similar systems implemented in other global regions.