A hand operating a touch screen with the ETIAS logo.
ETIAS delayed again: No EU travel permit needed until 2027.
Credit: Shutterstock, Ivan Marc
The long-awaited European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) won’t be mandatory until April 2027 at the earliest, giving UK and other visa-free travellers to the EU a bit more breathing room. Despite previous plans to implement the system sooner, the EU has confirmed another delay.
The latest on ETIAS and EU border control
Originally meant to launch years ago, ETIAS is now set to follow the rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). The EES is expected to be fully operational by April 2026, with ETIAS kicking in six months later. But don’t pack your bags just yet – there will be a further six-month grace period, pushing the absolute enforcement of ETIAS to October 2027.
In other words, travellers from the UK, US, and other visa-free nations won’t have to apply for an ETIAS permit until at least April 2027. Even then, the first six months will act as a transitional period, where entry without ETIAS is still possible. Only from October 2027 will ETIAS become an absolute requirement for all.
How will EES and ETIAS work?
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is the first step in tightening border controls. The system, set to start rolling out in October 2025, will require biometric data from travellers, such as fingerprints and facial scans, replacing manual passport stamps.
The EES rollout will happen gradually over six months, with an increasing percentage of travellers being processed through the new system each month. By April 2026, all EU member states should be fully operating EES with biometric functionality.
Once EES is in place, ETIAS will follow, requiring visa-free travellers to complete an online authorisation before heading to the EU. This authorisation will be valid for three years and will be necessary for entry into 30 European countries.
What does this mean for UK travellers?
For now, it’s business as usual for British passport holders heading to Europe – no ETIAS needed until 2027. But once implemented, the system will work much like the US ESTA, requiring travellers to apply online before departure. The cost is expected to be around €7, and approvals will generally be quick, though some applications may take longer if additional checks are needed.
So, while the system is coming, it’s not coming as soon as initially feared. Enjoy your hassle-free European getaways while you can – ETIAS is on its way, but it’s still a few years off.
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