Warning for travellers as EU entry declaration delayed ‘indefinitely’

Travellers are being warned not to fall for any fake websites or travel agents selling them a digital travel authorisation for Europe, as the new entry requirement has officially been delayed indefinitely.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), similar to the ESTA visa-waiver program in the US, was due to be launched in the last quarter of 2026 but has been plagued by delays.

Last month, it was reported by The Financial Times that the new scheme would likely be postponed again until 2027.

Now the European Union has confirmed the delay on the official ETIAS website without indicating a new potential launch date.

“ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point,” a statement on the site reads.

“The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.”

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For travellers, there is a clear warning: don’t apply, and don’t pay anyone claiming to offer ETIAS applications.

The association of travel agents and tour operators ABTA and the European Union have previously said scammers are taking advantage of the confusion around the new system.

As reported by Euro News, ABTA cautioned that “people who try to apply for an ETIAS now may be at risk of fraud, with a loss of money and possibly personal data too.”

“The European Union is very keen to stress the fact that there is only one official site for purchasing an ETIAS visa-waiver, and people should not use other channels,” ABTA Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge said.

Who will need an EITAs?

Once it launches, travellers from 60 nations, including Australia, who didn’t traditionally need visas to go to Europe will need the travel authorisation to go to 30 specific European countries on holiday.

The countries where you will need the new travel authorisation to go include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

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.

But if you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.

You can stay for 90 days out of 180 days in Europe, the same as before. They will cost seven euro, which is just under $12.