Ukrainians will have to pay for entering the EU: how much and when will the new rules take effect

Starting in the spring of 2025, Ukrainians, like all citizens of visa-free countries, will have to pay 7 euros (319 UAH at the current exchange rate) to enter the European Union (EU) through the new ETIAS system. The fee will be valid for three years. Also, starting in November 2024, the EES system will be launched, replacing manual stamping of passports with automated registration.

This was stated by the spokesperson for the European Commission, Anita Hipper."We plan to have ETIAS ready for commissioning in the spring of 2025," she said.

According to the new rules, before each trip to the EU, Ukrainians will have to pre-register in the ETIAS system by paying a fee of 7 euros (319 UAH). This permit will be valid for three years and will allow multiple entries to the EU during this period without the need to pay again.

Starting on November 10, 2024, the EU will launch the EES entry and exit system, which will replace the manual stamping of passports with an electronic database. This means that every time travelers cross the EU's external borders, they will have to scan their passports or other travel documents, which will allow for automated registration of their entry and exit.

The EES system will record the traveler's name, biometric data, date, and place of entry and exit. All this data will be stored in an electronic database for three years after each trip. This innovation will help simplify border procedures by speeding up passport control.

Anita Hipper noted that there will be no more manual passport control for the entry-exit system, which will significantly speed up the process of border checks. The European Commission expects a declaration of readiness from EU member states to launch the EES system in early September 2024. This confirmation is necessary for the official launch of the system, which has been postponed several times due to the need for additional funding and technical improvements.

The decision to introduce the new system was made by the European Union back in 2016, and in 2018, the European Parliament approved legislation that set the parameters for ETIAS. Initially, the system was scheduled to be launched in 2022, but due to various circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic, these dates have been repeatedly postponed.

Once the EES and ETIAS systems are in place, Ukrainians will still be able to enter the EU with a biometric passport, but only if they have pre-registered and paid a fee. This innovation may be an additional step towards strengthening security in Europe and simplifying border control procedures.

As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, Ukraine and the European Union will soon extend the "transport visa-free regime" for another year, that is, until the end of June 2025. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered to determine the authorized persons to sign the relevant agreement.

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