New EU entry rules for Ukrainians have been postponed; a paid permit is not yet required
The European Union has postponed the introduction of a new control system for citizens of visa-free countries, including Ukraine. Due to the delay in launching the system, Ukrainians will not have to apply for a paid electronic authorization to travel to EU countries in the near future.
The new rules, which require obtaining a permit through the ETIAS system, are scheduled to be introduced no earlier than 2027. Until then, Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports will continue to enjoy visa-free travel under the current conditions.
The reason for the postponement is that the European Union has delayed the launch of a new border control system, which is supposed to precede the introduction of electronic entry permits.
According to the publication, the decision is linked to the delay in launching the EES entry-exit system, which is intended to replace passport stamps with digital border-crossing records.
Once the new rules take effect, citizens of visa-free countries will have to fill out an online form and obtain an electronic entry permit before each trip. The document will be valid for up to three years and will not replace a visa. At the same time, in 2026, Ukrainians will still be able to travel to Schengen Area countries without obtaining such a permit.
As the Financial Times notes, the implementation of the EES system is already causing delays of several hours and long lines at certain border crossings. The new system automatically records all border crossings and tracks the number of days spent in the Schengen Area.
This will make it impossible to circumvent the rule limiting stays to a maximum of 90 days within an 180-day period by using a second passport. The publication emphasizes that the new requirements will not apply to Ukrainians who have temporary protection or a residence permit in one of the European Union countries.
Despite the postponement of the new rules, travelers are advised to allow extra time for border control, as
This was reported by the Financial Times.
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