Etias, the online system that will pre-authorise entry to the EU, could be delayed until next year, reports have suggested.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) is the next stage in the European Union’s (EU) crackdown on border security, requiring some visitors to register their visit online ahead of travelling.
The EU still states that Etias will start operations in the last quarter of 2026, following previous delays.
Yet the system’s launch could be deferred, according to the Financial Times, which has reported discussions about delaying Etias following the slow rollout of the EU’s new electronic entry/exit system (EES).
EES is a separate border management initiative that was fully implemented in April, requiring non-EU travellers to provide fingerprints and facial biometrics at some European borders.
Industry leaders, including associations representing airports, airlines and travel and tourism markets, have criticised the new EES system for causing long queues of up to five hours at the border, calling for more powers to trigger a temporary suspension ahead of the busy summer period.
EU-Lisa, the agency in charge of implementing Etias, has acknowledged that it is no longer feasible to start the new system by the end of this year, according to three people briefed on the matter, the Financial Times reports.
While the European Commission is responsible for setting the launch date for Etias, it can only do so after EU-Lisa has successfully tested the new system.
One person briefed on the discussions said that there were “still some IT issues” with Etias.
“Let’s clean up EES first before you put another system that will double the line again,” they said, according to the Financial Times.
The sources said that EU-Lisa’s management board met in mid-June to discuss postponing the system to a later date, with two of them stating that the board would meet again in September to consider a new timeline.
A spokesperson for the agency told the publication the board discussed Etias’s “entry into operation” on 17 June.
“Since then, there have been no further developments on this topic,” they added.
Once Etias has launched, non-EU nationals who do not need a visa to visit countries in the Schengen Area will need to apply for travel authorisation through an online system, providing personal information, details on previous travel and registering any criminal convictions.
The EU says that Etias is not a visa; it is an online pre-screening and registration form similar to the British ETA, and will cost €20 (£17) to fill out.
If the application is successful, travellers can stay in member states up to 90 days within any 180 days.
The Independent has contacted EU-Lisa and the European Commission for comment.
Read more: What is Etias and when will I need to apply for one when travelling to the EU?
