DISINFO: From 2024 the EU will introduce visas for visa-free countries, including Moldova
SUMMARY
EU introduces visas for "visa-free" countries with: as of 2024, for citizens of Moldova, entry into the EU will cost 7 euros - but even in this case they may be refused.
The EU introduces electronic "visas" for visa-free countries. According to Deutsche Welle, in 2024 the rules for entering the EU will be tightened. 30 European countries will start requiring an electronic entry permit.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation claim targeting the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), that could be introduced as soon as 2024. The new requirement, which also concerns the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, is presented as an act of duplicity towards the countries to which the EU previously granted a visa-free regime.
ETIAS is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System is not a visa system. It was created to identify security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen States, as it is stated on the European Commission website.
Citizens of countries that benefits from a visa-free regime with the European Union will have to obtain an electronic travel authorization before a trip to the Schengen area. It is planned to have the ETIAS cost only €7 for each application. The travel authorization will be mandatory for people aged between 18 and 70. More details can be found on the website.
The disinformation that EU countries will introduce visas for Moldovans, which will cost 7 euros, was previously spread by pro-Kremlin media and it was debunked by StopFals.md. See here more cases regarding the visa-free regime granted by the EU for many countries.