Anyone who spends much time here won't be surprised, but it now appears almost certain: ETIAS will NOT come into effect anytime this year, according to reports about discussions within the agency in charge of implementing ETIAS.
EU to delay pre-authorised travel system after border chaos - https://www.ft.com/content/de332c29-8270-44d8-b535-aabc42692f03?shareType=nongift via @FT
I couldn't read the article because it was behind a pay wall. But I'm not in the least surprised by the delay; I doubt that anyone is. One less thing to do before my fall trip, so yay?
Unless I've missed something, I don't think this is official yet. The FT article is reporting on internal discussions, but the official ETIAS site still says it's expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026, pending a formal announcement.
Thanks for the heads up about discussions Kim. As much as I would like to hope this is true (I have a November trip), I will wait to celebrate after it is posted on the official EU web page: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias
Thank you folks for this discussion. My trip is in September, so I will know to keep an eye on it.
Absolutely right - the decision to delay is not yet official, but I feel 100% certain that the implementation is not happening this year based on the reporting and the source.
The Financial Times broke the news yesterday evening, and it was picked up this morning by The Telegraph. Multiple other outlets are now pointing to a ETIAS delay until next year. This is strictly back-channel reporting from sources inside the EU-Lisa IT management board. I wouldnt expect any official confirmation.
The FT article is behind a pay wall -
https://www.travelweek.ca/news/destinations/will-common-sense-prevail-amid-ees-chaos-potential-postponement-for-etias-for-travellers-to-europe-report/
https://travel.yahoo.com/news/articles/eu-20-etias-entry-fee-131800348.html
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias
On a personal note, I have no opinion either way. In the end, the EU will make it clear when ETIAS will officially start. And keep track of the official site.
I wouldnt expect any official confirmation.
I assume this means is there isn't yet any public statement from official EU sources on the rumored delay. I'm all for hope springing eternal, but just because more than one news source has chimed in doesn't mean there is a delay. Anyone who might come across this thread that is traveling later this year should continue to check the official website (link above) to confirm whether ETIAS is needed (or not).
Reports made on this forum and comments in the articles linked in VAP's post, indicate EES is not yet functioning at the level necessary for ETAIS to launch.
As mentioned, the EES and ETIAS are separate systems.
from today's NYT: Europe’s New Entry/Exit System Is a Mess, and It’s Not Going Away
E.U. leaders rebuffed a plea from the aviation industry to pause the biometric checkpoints, which have caused long lines and missed flights. Summer travelers beware.
European leaders are standing firm on a security program that has led to long lines, confusion and missed flights at airports this summer, despite an urgent plea from the aviation industry to suspend it.
The Entry/Exit System, or E.E.S., requires members of the 29-country Schengen open-border area to collect biometrics like face photos and fingerprints from travelers upon arrival and to confirm their identities upon exit. Since the system took full effect in April, airports and airlines have reported widespread chaos — including hourslong security checkpoint lines and confusion over procedures — and have feared the headaches could worsen as peak travel season begins.
As mentioned, the EES and ETIAS are separate systems.
Yes they are, but they are also related. The current agreement is that ETIAS won go into effect until the EES is running, and running smoothly. Which it is not.
EES and ETIAS remind me of the travails of Real ID in the US, although not (as yet) spread out over so many years.
"The implementation and full enforcement of the REAL ID Act—passed in 2005—was delayed numerous times over a 17-year span. After the original 2008 deadline, widespread state opposition, regulatory hurdles, and pandemic-related DMV backlogs caused the federal government to push back the enforcement deadline in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. Phased enforcement of the requirement to board domestic flights and enter secure federal facilities officially began on May 7, 2025, with full, uncompromising enforcement slated for May 5, 2027." I do love that turn of phrase "uncompromising enforcement."
