Postponement of the introduction of ETIAS in the European Union

The Council of Home Affairs Ministers of the European Union has approved a new timetable for the implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The full launch of the system, which will require online pre-registration from citizens of 59 visa-free countries, has been postponed until April 2027. This is the fifth postponement since the original plan to launch in 2021.

Key Timeline Changes:

• October 2025 - Entry/Exit System (EES) launches, replacing stamps in passports with biometric enrollment
• Late 2026 - ETIAS test period begins (voluntary use)
• April 2027 - ETIAS becomes mandatory for most travelers
• October 2027 - full transition to the system for all categories.

How ETIAS will work

Citizens of visa-free countries, including the UK and the US, will need to:

• Complete an online application form on the official ETIAS website
• Pay a fee of €7 (persons under 18 and over 70 years old are exempt)
• Receive an electronic authorization valid for 3 years or until the passport expires

It is important to note that during the transition period (end of 2026 - April 2027), the absence of ETIAS will not be grounds for refusal of entry if other requirements are met.

Reasons for delays and new approaches:

According to the EU Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs, the postponement is due to several factors:

• Technical difficulties in integrating ETIAS with national systems
• The need to train staff and test equipment at all control points (airports, seaports, land borders)
• Phased implementation of EES: from October 2025, only 10% of travelers will have their biometrics taken, with the full transition completed by April 2026.

The European Commission recommends that travelers avoid using third-party sites offering ETIAS processing services - the official portal will not be operational until 2026 - and follow updates on ETIAS resources and EU government platforms.

Reform Goals:

Both systems (EES and ETIAS) are designed to:

• Automate border control
• Increase security by proactively screening travelers
• Reduce queues at the border (processing is projected to take 2-3 minutes instead of 10-15 minutes)

The EU statement emphasizes that the phased approach will give time for transport companies, airports and border guards to adapt to the changes.