Visitors arriving in the European Union. Travel Pulse
Europe’s new digital travel authorization system, ETIAS, will not be launching anytime soon. Officials have confirmed that it has been delayed once again and is now expected to start in late 2026.
This means that travelers heading to Europe this year won’t have to worry about registering with ETIAS. The Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union finalized this decision on March 5. Initially, ETIAS was supposed to launch earlier, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused setbacks. Later, technical difficulties led to more delays.
Meanwhile, some European countries will introduce a new Entry/Exit System (EES) in October. This system will replace passport stamping with biometric checks, making border control more efficient. It will apply to short-term visa holders and travelers from visa-exempt countries.
When ETIAS finally launches, visitors from 60 visa-free nations, including the United States, will need to get digital pre-authorization before traveling to the EU. The process will require a simple online application and a one-time fee of €7 for travelers aged 18-70. The authorization will be valid for three years or until the passport expires.
