The European Commission has announced that the development of a new travel system for Europe has been delayed again. The aim of the system is to make it easier for citizens to travel within the European Union (EU) without the need for visas or other paperwork.
The system was originally expected to be up and running by 2022, but the Commission now says that it won’t be ready until 2025. It blames the delay on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on cross-border travel.
The new system is part of the European Commission’s Digital Single Market strategy, which aims to make it easier for Europeans to work, shop, and travel while staying within the EU. It is hoped that the system will make cross-border travel faster, easier, and more secure.
The system will use digital identity checks to verify if someone is legally allowed to travel within the EU. It will also allow authorities to share data more easily on lost or stolen items.
The Commission insists that the delay is necessary to make sure the system works effectively and securely when it is launched in 2025. It also notes that the delay will allow for more extensive testing and consultation with other countries.
The new system could prove vital for Europe’s tourism industry, as it will make it much easier for people to travel around the continent. With the EU set to reopen its borders soon, the EU hopes that the new travel system will make cross-border travel less of a hassle.
