EU to Delay Launch of ETIAS Border Entry System Again

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The European Union is set to suspend again the ETIAS new border entry system which was scheduled to take effect in 2024.

Earlier this month, travel industry experts had warned that the new system would lead to problems if travelers, travel agencies and authorities were not prepared.

 Under the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), travelers from the US and other countries, including the UK and Australia, currently allowed to enter Europe visa-free, would as of January 2024 have to pay a 7-euro (7.68 US dollars) fee to enter.

The implementation of the border screening system has now been pushed back to May 2025, following a series of delays the latest being the introduction of Entry-Exit Systems (EES), which need to be operational at least five months before ETIAS can go into effect.

According to an EU official, the EES was scheduled to become operational by the end of the year or the beginning of next year. “Due to unforeseen delays, it has become evident that this timeline is unattainable. As a result, the implementation of the ETIAS has been rescheduled to May 2025, with the possibility of further postponement,” he said.

The European Commission is expected to officially announce the news in the coming period.

Once approved, the ETIAS travel permit, which applies for a period of three years can be reused and is mandatory for travelers wishing to visit more than 60 countries in Europe and in the Schengen Area.