ETIAS

The ETIAS Central Unit established within Frontex plays a crucial role in ensuring the functioning of ETIAS, as established by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1240.

The ETIAS Central Unit Division, which will be a critical infrastructure operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, consists of two units and two offices. The ETIAS Central Unit employs over 200 staff members.

Application Handlers Unit

• Verify applications from travellers which were subject to hits in EU databases and, where needed, forward them to ETIAS National Units for final decision.

Assistance Centre Unit

• Provide support to air, sea, and land carriers on ETIAS and the EES;

• Support travellers with filling in the ETIAS application form;

• Notify carriers and Member States on system failures of ETIAS and the EES.

Data Management Office

•  Ensure that the information stored in the ETIAS system is accurate and up to date;

• Handle requests from data subjects regarding their data protection rights;

• Ensure the self-monitoring and auditing of the ETIAS Central Unit’s activities.

Coordination Office

• Identify risks, develop risk indicators and screening rules that will be used to assess travellers in terms of illegal immigration, security, and high epidemic risks;

• Manage stakeholders and the content of the official ETIAS website;

• Plan and coordinate the resources, capabilities and activities of the ETIAS Central Unit, as well as the execution of its Strategic Plan.

The ETIAS Central Unit will prepare an annual activity report covering its activities and information on current trends and challenges affecting its operations. The annual activity report will also include statistics on the number of travel authorisations issued automatically and through manual processing, as well as the number of applications refused.

The annual activity report will be submitted to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission by 31 March each year.