While tens of thousands of Britons are stuck in European airport queues as a result of the new EES entry/exit system at border controls, the European Union has yet again pushed back the launch of its new ETIAS travel permit with no date set for when it will be introduced.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) requires visitors from third-party countries including the United Kingdom to apply for pre-travel authorisation. It was due to launch at the edn of this year, then in early 2027 but has now been delayed indefinitely, with travellers warned not to apply or pay anyone claiming to offer ETIAS applications.

“ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point,” the website stated. “The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.”

Europe’s summer travel has been buckling under its new electronic entry/exit system, which has resulted in lengthy queues at multiple airports. When ETIAS does eventually launch, it is set to cost €20, it was originally just seven, and grant access to 30 European countries in the Schengen Zone, as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. It will be valid for three years or until your passport expires, and it will allow holders to stay in the Zone for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

And, travellers are being warned not to fall for any fake websites or travel agents selling them a digital travel authorisation for Europe because the new entry requirement has officially been delayed indefinitely.

For travellers, there is a clear warning: don’t apply, and don’t pay anyone claiming to offer ETIAS applications. The association of travel agents and tour operators ABTA and the European Union have previously said scammers are taking advantage of the confusion around the new system.

ABTA cautioned that “people who try to apply for an ETIAS now may be at risk of fraud, with a loss of money and possibly personal data too. “The European Union is very keen to stress the fact that there is only one official site for purchasing an ETIAS visa-waiver, and people should not use other channels,” ABTA Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge said.