European Union
ETIAS Launch Delayed Until 2027 Amidst Ongoing European Border System Delays
The ETIAS launch is now expected in 2027, while the EES continues to cause significant airport delays.
The ETIAS visa-waiver system, intended for non-EU/Schengen nationals, is now anticipated to launch in 2027, likely in April.
The European Union's official ETIAS page no longer lists a target launch date, indicating further delays.
Consequently, travellers do not need to apply for an ETIAS for any trips planned for this winter or spring.
The Entry/Exit System (EES), which began on April 10, 2026, continues to cause substantial delays at major European airports.
Affected airports include Barcelona, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Prague, Lisbon, Milan, and Tenerife South, with wait times sometimes exceeding two hours.
Several EU countries, notably Spain, Germany, and France, have been granted until the end of 2026 to fully implement their EES systems.
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