[3] According to the European Commission, ETIAS is planned to be implemented "for the identification of security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors.

[9][10] Due to various reasons, including difficulties in integrating different member states' national systems into a central database, the implementation date has been repeatedly delayed from January 2021.

[2][15] As of entering into use, ETIAS will be required from nationals of visa-exempt third countries (Annex II)[16] except the European microstates of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City.

[9] As of 2024[update], holders of ordinary passports of the following countries and territories would match the ETIAS criteria:[17] All prospective visitors will need to complete an online application, and those between ages 18 and 70 must pay a fee of €7.

2 Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Russia and the partially recognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia each span the conventional boundary between Europe and Asia.