Entering the Schengen area with ETIAS from Grenada

English

Grenada, an enchanting island state in the Caribbean, fascinates with its rich culture and breathtaking nature. The country covers an area of around 344 square kilometres and is known for its diverse landscape, ranging from lush rainforests to palm-fringed beaches. Grenada borders the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and has a friendly population of around 112,000 inhabitants. The capital St. George's impresses with its charming harbour architecture and is a cultural centre. The island is famous for its spice plantations, especially for the cultivation of nutmeg, and attracts visitors with its colourful carnival and relaxed nightlife.

 A brief outline of Grenada's history

 

 The history of Grenada spans several centuries and reflects the eventful development of the island state in the Caribbean. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the area was inhabited by Arawaks and Caribs, who lived in peaceful coexistence. In 1498, Christopher Columbus landed on the island, marking the beginning of the European presence. After a period of Spanish rule, the French took control in the 17th century and named the island "La Grenade".

 

 However, the peace did not last long and the island was divided between France and Great Britain in the 18th century. After the Peace of Paris in 1763, Grenada finally fell into the hands of the British, who ruled the island until its independence in 1974. During British colonial rule, sugar cane was intensively cultivated on Grenada and slave labour was introduced. This period left a deep mark on history and shaped the demographic and social structure of the island.

 

 In the 20th century, Grenada finally gained its political independence when it became a parliamentary monarchy within the Commonwealth on 7 February 1974. However, the political situation on the island did not remain stable, and in the following years Grenada experienced a series of changes of government and political unrest. The most turbulent period was undoubtedly the 1979 revolution, when the New Yugoslav Movement came to power under the leadership of Maurice Bishop. This short period brought social reforms, but also political instability and alienation from foreign allies, especially the United States.

 

 The situation came to a dramatic head in October 1983 when intra-party fighting led to a coup d'état and US troops invaded Grenada at the invitation of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) as part of "Operation Urgent Fury". This intervention led to the restoration of political order, but also to international criticism and tensions.

 

 In the following years, Grenada stabilised politically and economically. The island nation established itself as a democratic state and experienced an upswing in the tourism sector, which boosted the economy. Today, Grenada is not only known for its historical significance, but also for its natural beauty, cultural diversity and hospitable people. Grenada's history is a fascinating kaleidoscope of colonial influences, political upheavals and the search for national identity.

 

 Grenada's political system

 

 Grenada is a parliamentary monarchy within the Commonwealth. The formal head of state is the British King Charles III, but the monarch's role is essentially ceremonial and actual executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the leader of the ruling party and is appointed by the Governor General, who acts on behalf of the monarch.

 

 The legislature in Grenada consists of the Parliament, which is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives, which represents the people, consists of 15 members who are elected every five years. The Senate consists of 13 members, ten of whom are appointed by the Prime Minister and three by the Leader of the Opposition. Together they form the upper house of parliament and represent various interests and areas of society.

 

 The executive branch is headed by the cabinet, which is appointed by the prime minister. The cabinet consists of ministers, each of whom is responsible for a specific area of government. The exact number of ministers may vary depending on the department and the needs of governance. The Prime Minister is the head of government and coordinates the work of the ministers.

 

 The judiciary in Grenada is independent and consists of the Supreme Court and other subordinate courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country and consists of several judges. The judiciary plays a crucial role in interpreting and applying the law, ensuring the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental rights of citizens.

 

 Together, these institutions form the political structure of Grenada and reflect the country's efforts towards democratic governance and institutional stability.

 

 Entering the Schengen area from Grenada

 

 Anyone wishing to enter the Schengen area from the beautiful island state was previously able to do so with their passport. With the introduction of ETIAS, there will be some changes for travellers. However, these are minor and have little impact on travelling arrangements. The ETIAS should always be at the top of your list. It is valid for three years and even if you postpone your travel plans, you can still enter the country with the document. The only important thing is that the country does not change. The country of entry must be stated on the form and is binding for the trip. For subsequent journeys, however, it is irrelevant which Schengen state you enter first.

 

 It only takes a few minutes to fill in. Anyone who has been to the USA before and has filled out the similar ESTA will have no problems. As ETIAS does not yet exist, not many details are known yet. It will probably also be necessary to upload the picture page of the passport. Although a lot of data is recognised automatically, the traveller cannot rely on it. The passport number, date of birth, name and place of birth have to be exactly the same. If the data differs from the passport, ETIAS is accepted, but the document is invalid. The FRONTEX officer checks the data and refuses entry if there are any discrepancies.

 

The other questions must also be completed conscientiously. Especially the security questions. They must of course be answered truthfully, but if a question is answered in the affirmative, the application may be rejected.

After payment and submission, the application is checked. Various databases are used for this purpose. If there is a hit, the application is not rejected immediately, but the employees look at the application. A rejection should only occur rarely, but if it does, an appeal can be lodged - unlike with the ESTA.

 Little effort, great benefit

 

 It only takes a few minutes to fill in the form. This minimal effort benefits all travellers and residents of the Schengen area. The likelihood of terrorist attacks is reduced. Sometimes there is a problem, as an internet connection and an appropriate terminal device are required. But this is also easy to solve. The application can also be completed by third parties. So if you have friends or acquaintances with suitable devices, they can help you. Travel agents and agencies also offer this service.