At the beginning of May 2019, both Frontex and Europol submitted progress reports to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the preparatory status of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). For the legal framework of ETIAS, see 2/2018, 82, 84.

According to Frontex, the Agency has already made the following preparations:

• Created a task force for management of the ETIAS and an interoperability programme;
• Analysed the relevant regulations to identify its detailed responsibilities;
• Contributed to the Commission’s drafting of delegating acts and implementing decisions;
• Organised a high-level seminar for EU Member States.

Additional tasks for 2019 include further designing the operational model of the ETIAS Central Unit and establishing a recruitment plan for the Unit.

Europol has participated in implementation meetings and conducted an internal business analysis elaborating the operational processes in which it is expected to be involved. It has also already taken an initial technical step by making its data available for the European Search Portal and for the future cross-checking of ETIAS travel applications.