Border chaos continues as EU digital authorisation system plagued by more delays
Updated . First published
Australian travellers bound for Europe are likely to face further headaches after changes to the continent’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) are expected to be postponed.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), similar to the ESTA visa-waiver program in the US, is due to be launched in the last quarter of 2026.
Travellers have faced lengthy border queues in some airports due to the new ESS system. Getty
However, the Financial Times has reported that discussions are being held about delaying the introduction of the ETIAS.
The report suggests that the agency in charge of implementing ETIAS, eu-Lisa, has acknowledged that it is no longer feasible to start the new system by the end of this year.
The agency is responsible for testing the new system before it can be launched, regardless of the launch date set by the European Union.
However, a source said there were “still some IT issues” with ETIAS.
“Let’s clean up EES first before you put another system that will double the line again,” they told the Financial Times.
Nightmare border queues and planes departing half empty prompted calls to suspend the new EES during the peak summer travel season.
The European Union fully implemented the new system in April, which requires travellers to register their passport information, scan their fingerprints, and have their photos taken.
Airlines and airports have shared their concerns over the lengthy queues, with one airport boss telling the BBC the situation is “not bearable over the summer”.
The ESS system launched in April but has caused some border chaos. iStock
ETIAS would require non-EU nationals, who do not need a visa to visit countries in the Schengen Area, to apply for travel authorisation through an online system, providing personal information, details on previous travel and registering any criminal convictions.
The online pre-screening and registration form similar to the British ETA, would cost €20 ($38) to fill out.
The management board of eu-Lisa reportedly met in mid-June to discuss postponing the ETIAS rollout to a later date.
Sources said another meeting would be held in September to consider a new timeline.
The ETIAS was first announced in 2023 and has already been delayed.
The new digital authorisation was first announced in 2023. Getty Images
The ETIA will be linked to your passport. It will be valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
You can stay for 90 days out of 180 days in Europe, the same as before.
Smarttraveller has warned dual citizens of participating European countries or Ireland will not be eligible for an ETIAS travel authorisation.
“If you’re a dual citizen, once the system is implemented, you will not be able to enter any participating countries using your Australian passport. You will have to enter using the passport from your other country of citizenship,” it shared.
Nine.com.au has contacted eu-Lisa for comment.
