It has been a troublesome few months for Europe’s tourism business, with vacationers dealing with important delays at borders because of the introduction of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES).
The launch of one other system, the brand new European Journey Info and Authorization System (ETIAS), may additionally face delays after the “disorganized rollout” of the EES digital border inspection system disrupted visits to the area, the Monetary Occasions stated.
The launch of ETIAS, the brand new on-line system for pre-approving entry to the EU, will probably be postponed till 2027, the FT reported. The ETIAS web site states that it’ll start operations within the final quarter of 2026, and though it has not been formally postponed, the FT stated it was “unlikely to start operations earlier than the top of the yr.”
Much like the US ESTA system, ETIAS requires candidates to pay €20 and bear a pre-travel safety examine.
Even after ETIAS begins operation, there will probably be a transition interval of at the very least six months. The EU states: “Travellers should apply for a journey authorization inside this era, however these with out a journey authorization won’t be refused entry in the event that they meet the remaining entry necessities.”
“Let’s clear up EES first”
Following “technical glitches” and “delays in implementation” of the EES, EU-Lisa, the company liable for implementing ETIAS, “admitted that it’s not doable to implement ETIAS by the top of this yr as deliberate,” the FT stated.
Sources briefed on the discussions stated ETIAS “nonetheless has some IT points” however the focus ought to now be on EES, the newspaper quoted individuals briefed on the discussions. “Let’s clear up the EES first earlier than introducing one other system that doubles the road once more,” they stated.
In the meantime, one other official stated it might have been “fantasy” to launch ETIAS this yr.
EES ‘not excellent’ however not a suspension
The EES turned totally operational within the Schengen space in April 2026, changing passport stamps for many non-EU vacationers with a digital system that information entry and exit together with biometric knowledge reminiscent of fingerprints and facial photos.
The system is designed to strengthen border safety, establish unlawful immigrants, and streamline border management. However Europe’s aviation business says this improvement is having the alternative impact at many airports.
On July 1, aviation associations ACI Europe, Airways for Europe (A4E) and the Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation (IATA) issued an pressing attraction to European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, warning that the rollout of the EES has reached a “crucial level” and is inflicting critical disruption for hundreds of thousands of travellers.
With only a week left till the beginning of the height summer time vacation season, the EU has rejected a request to droop the EES, regardless of acknowledging there are “20 troublesome spots” the place queues could possibly be disrupted, the Guardian reported. EU officers stated that whereas the EES was “not excellent”, an entire suspension was “pointless” and “not possible”.
What’s ETIAS?
Below ETIAS guidelines, non-visa vacationers from non-EU nations, together with the UK, Australia, US and Canada, should receive a allow earlier than getting into the Schengen Space for short-term stays.
This requires guests to finish a web based utility, present private info, reply safety questions, and pay a charge. This authorization is tied to the traveler’s passport and is legitimate for 3 years or till the passport expires.
Vacationers from 60 nations exterior the EU should adjust to ETIAS, however there are some exceptions. Kids beneath 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the €20 charge, however should apply for a allow.
The scheme applies to 30 European nations, together with all EU member states besides Eire, plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
