The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is proceeding with the establishment of a National Unit for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (“ETIAS National Unit”) through a legislative initiative, spearheaded by Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, which is currently under public consultation.
The “ETIAS National Unit” is established in the framework of the new EU data architecture in the field of external border management of the Schengen area and in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 September 2018 establishing the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This reform is part of a broader package of measures referred to as “Smart Borders” package, which aims to modernize the management of the EU’s external borders by exploiting current technological capabilities and is expected, inter alia, to make the EU the most attractive destination for business and tourism in a context of freedom, security and justice.
By regulating the issues related to the organization and operation of the “ETIAS National Unit”, the regulation achieves the modernization of the procedures for the management of the transit of third country nationals exempted from the visa requirement to and from the Greek territory and serves the dual objective of the Union to improve accessibility and enhance internal security within the Schengen area.
The ETIAS Unit is expected to facilitate the crossing of the Schengen external borders by third country nationals exempt from the visa requirement, as they will receive an ETIAS permit through an application procedure which will be simple, economical and fast and will not require, in the vast majority of cases, any further action.
The establishment and operation of the ETIAS National Unit will, inter alia:
a) enhance the effectiveness of border controls, ensuring the free movement of people,
(b) contribute to achieving a high level of security, preventing illegal migration and protecting public health by providing for a thorough risk assessment to be carried out prior to the arrival of applicants at external border crossing points,
(c) assist in the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist offences or other serious criminal offences,
(d) stimulate partnerships with third countries,
(e) improve the attractiveness of our country as a Schengen member for investment, tourism and recreation.
(f) Lastly, it will contribute significantly to the overall reform effort for the digital transformation of the public administration, the reduction of bureaucracy and the provision of high-quality services to citizens, as announced in the Digital Transformation Bible 2020-2025.