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For more information regarding the Carrier Interface, Carrier registration process, as well as frequently asked questions regarding EES and ETIAS, please consult the dedicated Carriers page

Working Group for Carriers

The Working Group for Carriers (WG) is an informal coordination body between eu-LISA, the European Commission, Frontex and carrier associations (for carriers operating at air and sea borders, and international carriers transporting groups overland by coach). Its main scope is:

  • to facilitate the preparation of carriers for the implementation of their obligations stemming from the legal framework of the EES and ETIAS Regulations;
  • to ensure that carrier activities are aligned with the activities and planning of the EES and ETIAS Projects.

The WG's main tasks are to: 

  • Provide a platform for discussions on the Carrier implementing Regulation and about the related processes/guidelines for EES/ETIAS;
  • Provide awareness to carriers on their obligations that stem from the applicable legal framework;
  • Provide a platform to discuss practical matters, difficulties and obstacles, share best practices;
  • Obtain visibility on the status of preparation including any relevant operational/technical considerations from carriers
  • Coordinate carriers in their preparation and post EiO activities with the central systems.

According to the EES and the ETIAS regulations, carriers will have to query EES and ETIAS and receive answers regarding the status of travellers. With the introduction of the EES, which replaces the manual stamping of passports with an electronic record of entries and exits, carriers will verify if a third-country national travelling to the EU with a short-stay, single or double entry visa has already used the number of entries authorised by their visa. Once ETIAS enters into operation, carriers will have to verify, prior to boarding, that their visa-exempt passengers have a valid travel authorisation.

The WG is composed of:

  • European Commission experts (DG HOME and other relevant DGs);
  • The EES-ETIAS Advisory Group Chairperson;
  • eu-LISA experts;
  • European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) experts;
  • Representatives from carrier associations operating at air, sea and international carriers transporting groups overland by coach;
  • Advisors from Member States.

Past Meetings

  • 39th Carriers Working Group

  • 38th Carriers Working Group

  • 37th Carriers Working Group

  • 36th Carriers Working Group

  • 35th Carriers Working Group

  • 34th Carriers Working Group

  • 33rd Carriers Working Group

  • 29 May 2024

    32nd Carriers Working Group

  • 25 April 2024

    31st Carriers Working Group

  • 21 March 2024

    30th Carriers Working Group

  • 27 February 2024

    29th Carriers Working Group

  • 25 January 2024

    28th Carriers Working Group

  • 05 December 2023

    27th Carriers Working Group

  • 24 October 2023

    26th Carriers Working Group

  • 18 September 2023

    25th Carriers Working Group

  • 5 July 2023

    24th Carriers Working Group

  • 15 May 2023

    23rd Carriers Working Group

  • 3 April 2023

    22nd Carriers Working Group

  • 1 March 2023

    21st Carriers Working Group

  • 2 February 2023

    20th Carriers Working Group

  • 9 January 2023

    19th Carriers Working Group

  • 14 December 2022

    18th Carriers Working Group

  • 23 November 2022

    17th Carriers Working Group

  • 27 October 2022

    16th Carriers Working Group

  • 30 September 2022

    15th Carriers Working Group

  • 26 July 2022

    14th Carriers Working Group

  • 29 June 2022

    13th Carriers Working Group

  • 25 May 2022

    12th Carriers Working Group

  • 27 April 2022

    11th Carriers Working Group

  • 30 March 2022

    10th Carriers Working Group

  • 28 February 2022

    9th Carriers Working Group

  • 26 January 2022

    8th Carriers Working Group

  • 12 October 2021

    7th Carriers Working Group

  • 15 July 2021

    6th Carriers Working Group

  • 15 April 2021

    5th Carriers Working Group

  • 05 March 2020

    4th Carriers Working Group

  • 19 December 2019

    3rd Carriers Working Group

  • 20 September 2019

    2nd Carriers Working Group

  • 4 June 2019

    1st Carriers Working Group