Rumors spread quickly, and it is possible that ETIAS will not come into effect in 2026.
A Chaotic Summer
At Europe's busiest airports, summer has felt heavier due to long queues at passport control and the recently implemented Entry/Exit System (EES).
These delays suggest that the new online system for pre-authorizing entry for travelers who are not citizens of the European Union will be pushed back until 2027, although nothing is official at this time.
Photo by hiurich granja on Unsplash
As part of a new border control initiative, the European Union has been working on a screening system. This system is called the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), and more than 1.4 billion travelers will need to apply for it to enter the Schengen area.
But…
As has happened in recent months, the implementation of this process could be delayed once again.
First, they stated it would take effect in 2025, then in the second half of 2025. Later, it was said to be 2026, and now, it officially remains set to take effect in the last quarter of 2026.
However, given the long airport waiting lines this summer, it's very likely that the ETIAS system won't take effect until 2027.
The postponement isn't official, but according to a Financial Times report, it could be true.
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On the other hand, according to statements from EU-Lisa, the agency in charge of implementing ETIAS, the system's launch won't be possible by the end of this year.
Sources close to this project say that the next meeting to discuss the rollout will take place in September 2026.
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The New Dates
There still isn't an exact launch date, and the European Commission is the only authority that can set a start date for the system. So, once EU-Lisa successfully approves ETIAS, the Commission will provide a precise date.
For now, the official ETIAS website states that the system will take effect in the last quarter of 2026.
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What's happening with EES?
EES was supposed to launch in 2022, but its delay was due to procurement issues, technical difficulties, and slow implementation in some EU member states.
Other factors, unrelated to EES, such as staff shortages or inadequate infrastructure, could be causing the delays.
On the other hand, a Commission spokesperson said:
"Preparations for the ETIAS launch are underway. Obviously, as with any large-scale IT system, many factors come into play when deciding when to launch it."
Several EU officials are not surprised by the delays EU-Lisa has shown regarding ETIAS, since it's the same agency that manages EES.
Photo by Sue Winston on Unsplash
What Should Travelers Do?
For now, the official ETIAS website recommends that travelers who are about to travel and who do not require a special visa to enter any European Union member country should:
Not complete any extra paperwork.
Wait for the European Union to announce — several months in advance — the exact date ETIAS will go into effect.
It's important to remember that you can follow updates on this process on the official ETIAS website, and that the application form will be available on that site once the system has launched, which is expected to happen by the end of2026.
See you next time,
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