📍Entering the EU with ETIAS and EES in 2025: What Serbian Citizens Need to Know
Starting in May 2025, entering the European Union will look very different for citizens of Serbia and other Western Balkan countries. The EU is introducing two new digital border control systems – ETIAS and EES – which will change how visa-free travel is monitored and approved.
These changes will especially impact business travelers, seasonal workers, tourists, and people visiting family or friends in the EU. That’s why it’s essential to prepare in advance.
🧾 What is ETIAS and Who Needs It?
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a new electronic travel authorization, similar to the U.S. ESTA system. Citizens of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and others who currently enjoy visa-free entry will now be required to:
✍ Complete an online application,
💶 Pay a €7 fee,
📄 Provide information about travel purpose, accommodation, and finances,
🧬 Upon their first entry into the EU, submit fingerprints and an iris scan.
✅ The ETIAS authorization will be valid for up to 3 years or until the passport expires.
📊 What is the EES?
EES (Entry/Exit System) is an automated system that tracks all entries and exits of non-EU nationals into the Schengen Zone. It will record:
The date and time of each border crossing,
The location of entry or exit,
The total duration of stay.
🛑 If a traveler exceeds the 90-day limit within any 180-day period, the system will automatically block re-entry. There will no longer be room for “interpretation” — all movements will be digitally logged.
👥 Who Will Be Most Affected?
This change will especially affect:
📌 Businesspeople traveling frequently to the EU for meetings without hotel bookings or official documentation,
📌 Tourists driving into the EU (e.g. Belgrade–Zagreb) without a clear itinerary or purpose,
📌 Family visits without formal invitations or supporting documents.
❗ At airports and land borders, biometric data collection will create delays – especially during first-time entries.
✔ Recommendations for Travelers and Businesses
To avoid complications:
📅 Plan ahead and complete the ETIAS application before your trip,
📢 Entrepreneurs: notify your EU partners and clients about the new rules,
🏢 Consider establishing a legal entity within the EU if your team needs regular presence,
🚍 Transport companies and travel agencies: make sure passengers have valid ETIAS authorization before departure – you will be held responsible otherwise.
🧩 Conclusion – Border Improvisation Is Over
Although ETIAS and EES are not visas, they represent a major shift in how the EU manages visa-free travel. From now on, entering the EU means having a plan, documentation, and prior approval.
For citizens of Serbia and the region, each EU trip after May 2025 must be treated as an official process, not a casual decision.
📲 Need legal advice or assistance with ETIAS, residence, or company formation in the EU?
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