ETIAS Delayed Again: What Travellers to Europe Need to Know (2026)

ETIAS, Europe's new travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, has been delayed again, and this time there's no new date at all. Planning a winter-sun break in southern Europe or a holiday-season city trip? Here's what changed this week, what still applies at the border, and what the inventgo team would sort out before flying.

What happened this week

On 13 October 2026, Abta's director of public affairs, Luke Petherbridge, said at the association's convention that the launch window for ETIAS had been removed from EU websites. He said there is "now no official launch date for the Etias system," as reported by Travel Weekly. Abta said Frontex, the EU border agency, had confirmed that the planned launch in the final quarter of 2026 would no longer go ahead.

The Guardian reported that ETIAS remains on hold because of ongoing problems since the Entry/Exit System (EES) was introduced, including software issues at French entry points. Abta's position is that ETIAS shouldn't be brought in until EES is fully operational and working properly.

The official ETIAS website now says only that ETIAS is "currently not in operation", that no applications are being collected, and that the EU will announce the start date several months before launch.

ETIAS vs. EES: what's the difference?

These two get mixed up constantly. ETIAS is a pre-trip authorisation you'll apply for online. EES is the border check that happens when you arrive.

Sources: official ETIAS website, EES FAQ, and the European Commission's 10 April 2026 announcement.

How ETIAS will work when it launches

The date is missing, but the rules aren't. They're already published on the official ETIAS website and in EU law:

• Who: visa-exempt non-EU travellers making short stays in the 30 countries covered. The Guardian lists UK, US, Australian and Canadian travellers among those affected.
• How: you'll apply through the official ETIAS website or the official ETIAS mobile app, and nowhere else.
• How long it lasts: up to three years, or until the passport you applied with expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you'll need a new ETIAS.
• Length of stay: up to 90 days in any 180-day period, the same short-stay rule that already applies.

Commercial sites can legitimately apply for waivers on behalf of travellers. Frontex has warned, though, that the risks from third-party sites range from data protection problems and identity theft to excessive charges. The Guardian also reported that some unofficial sites mimic the official site's layout, use convincing domain names and give inaccurate information about who needs an ETIAS.

What the EES means at the border right now

ETIAS is on hold, but EES is not. According to the official "How does the EES work?" page:

• First crossing since EES started: officers will photograph your face and/or scan your fingerprints, and your passport won't be stamped.
• Later crossings: your biometrics are already on file, so officers only verify them, which takes less time.
• Faster options: some border points have self-service kiosks, and some countries offer a mobile app for pre-registering data. With a biometric passport you may be able to use self-service on later trips.
• The 90/180 rule is unchanged. The EES FAQ says an automated stay calculator started working on 10 April 2026, so overstays are now tracked digitally.

What about queues? The Guardian reported that border authorities have been told the EU won't enforce penalties if they suspend EES checks when queues build up. In Abta's surveys, only 46% of visitors to Europe said they had full checks, and only 13% queued for an hour. Waits still vary by airport, port and time of day. Build in extra time, especially on your first trip since EES began.

How to spot an ETIAS scam site

• Any site that takes an application today is not official. The official portal isn't accepting applications.
• Check the domain. The official EU information is on travel-europe.europa.eu.
• Ignore countdown timers and "apply now before the deadline" pressure. There is no deadline because there is no launch date.
• Don't upload passport scans to a site you can't verify.

Before you fly: eSIM and insurance

A border hall is not the place to discover your phone has no signal or that you've lost your booking confirmations. Two things the inventgo team sorts out before any Europe trip:

• Mobile data on landing. Install a travel eSIM before departure, so you can open your airline app, maps or a ride-hailing app as soon as you land. Compare regional Europe plans in our best travel eSIM guide. Check Airalo Europe eSIMs · See Holafly Europe plans
• Travel insurance that matches your trip. Missed connections after a long border queue, medical costs and lost luggage are the kinds of risks to check a policy for. Read the wording yourself before you buy. Our SafetyWing vs Heymondo comparison covers longer and multi-country trips. Get a SafetyWing quote · Compare Heymondo cover

Queues and self-service kiosks also mean more time on your phone, so carry an airline-friendly power bank in your cabin bag. See the best power banks for flying and our guide to whether you can bring a power bank on a plane. Browse Anker power banks

FAQ

Conclusion

For now, ETIAS is one thing you don't have to do. There's nothing to apply for, so any site asking you to pay is a red flag. The real change at Europe's borders is EES: expect to give a fingerprint scan and photo on your first crossing, and allow extra time. Before you go, set up your travel eSIM and check your travel insurance. Then bookmark the official EU site so you hear when ETIAS gets a real date.

Get a Europe eSIM from Airalo · Get a SafetyWing quote · Find skip-the-line tours on GetYourGuide