The EU has postponed the launch of ETIAS until 2027: here’s why
7 July 13:37
The introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) for citizens of countries with visa-free entry to the European Union will be postponed until 2027. The Financial Times reports this, citing sources, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Therefore, Ukrainians will not have to apply for a permit or pay 20 euros to enter the European Union in 2026.
The delay was caused by technical glitches and the slow rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES). The system requires travelers from non-EU countries to have their fingerprints and facial images scanned at borders. This has led to chaos and long lines at some airports and land border crossings.
According to the publication’s sources, EU-Lisa, the agency responsible for implementing ETIAS, has acknowledged that launching the system by the end of this year, as planned, is impossible.
A source told the publication that launching ETIAS under current conditions would only make the situation worse.
“We need to get the EES up and running first before launching another system that will double the lines,” the FT source noted.
It is reported that the EU-Lisa Governing Board met in mid-June to discuss postponing the system’s launch. Two FT sources said the board will meet again in September to discuss a new timeline.
A spokesperson for the agency confirmed to the newspaper that the board discussed the “launch” of ETIAS on June 17. There have been no further discussions on the matter since then.
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EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner blamed national governments for delays at borders caused by the entry/exit system.
“Other factors unrelated to the EES, such as staff shortages or a lack of adequate infrastructure, may be causing the delays,” Brunner told aviation industry leaders in a letter obtained by the FT.
The EES system
The EES was originally scheduled to launch in 2022, but its rollout has been repeatedly delayed due to procurement issues, technical glitches, and slow implementation in some member states. Ultimately, the system did not become operational until October 2025.
Back in 2016, the European Union made a decision in principle to change the border crossing procedures for citizens of countries eligible for visa-free entry to the EU. In 2018, the European Parliament approved legislation establishing the parameters of the new system, which was named ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). However, the system’s launch date was postponed several times.
How ETIAS Will Work
ETIAS will operate similarly to the U.S. ESTA system. It will apply to approximately 1.4 billion travelers from countries whose citizens do not need a visa for short-term trips to the EU, including Ukrainians.
Before traveling, these individuals will need to fill out an online application, undergo an automated security check, and pay a fee of 20 euros. Only after receiving authorization will they be able to travel to EU countries.
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