Digitalising borders: ETIAS and ETA

The European Union's (the "EU") long-standing ambition to strengthen the security of the Schengen area has been delayed once again. Since 2016, the EU has sought to introduce an electronic border system to monitor travel of nationals from visa-free countries (including the UK), yet 7 years later this system is still not in place. Unsurprisingly, the UK is also now in the process of introducing a similar electronic border system that will impact EU nationals, as well as other nationals from visa-free countries. The UK system, however, seems somewhat behind in terms of details of how this new electronic border system will work. Nonetheless, it is a race to the finish line to see who can implement this system first.