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Another day, another delay for Europe’s travel authorization program. Travelers planning trips to Europe have a little more time before needing to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
The European Union’s long-delayed travel authorization program has reportedly been pushed back once again and is now expected to launch in 2027, according to the Financial Times. The latest delay comes after the EU had previously indicated ETIAS would begin operations in the final quarter of 2026.
ETIAS is a new electronic travel authorization that will be required for visitors from visa-exempt countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and dozens of others, before entering the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area includes 30 European countries that have eliminated internal border checks to allow travelers to move freely once they have entered the zone. US passport holders can currently visit Schengen countries for up to 90 days without a visa, though ETIAS authorization will become an additional requirement once the system goes live. Schengen Area countries include: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Once implemented, travelers will need to apply online or through the official ETIAS app and pay a €20 fee (approximately $23). Most applications are expected to be processed within minutes and approved authorizations will remain valid for up to three years (or until the traveler’s passport expires).
The rollout has been repeatedly delayed since it was first proposed for 2021. The postponement follows the recent implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), the bloc’s new digital border control platform, which has already experienced operational challenges and long queues at several European airports.
Anthony’s Take: For now, travelers heading to Europe do not need to apply for ETIAS and the European Union says it will announce an official launch date several months before the program takes effect. This is likely for the best given how badly the other new immigration system in the EU is going with passengers facing up to five-hour lines to enter and exit.
(Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Yarmolin via iStock.)
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2 comments
About as surprising as a Netflix price increase. Still, better later than sooner. I wish the EU (and the U.S.) would drop this silliness.
There should be mutual fee waivers for the EU, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand for each other. Singapore and Taiwan are already free.