ETIAS Delayed: No Launch Date and No Permit Needed for Now
The European Union has dropped its late-2026 launch target for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). No new date has been set, the official ETIAS portal says the system is currently not in operation, and there is no application process open to the public. Visa-exempt travellers, including those from the UAE, do not need an ETIAS authorisation to travel to Europe at present.
Why it keeps slipping
ETIAS has been postponed repeatedly since it was first expected in 2021. Reports link the latest delay to IT integration problems and the wider rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES). A launch in 2027 is hoped for but remains uncertain, and the EU says it will announce a firm date several months before going live.
What ETIAS will be
- Who: visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 European countries for short stays.
- Fee: EUR 20 for applicants aged 18 to 70.
- Validity: three years, or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first.
- How: an online authorisation obtained before the journey and linked to your passport.
ETIAS is not EES
The Entry/Exit System is already in force and records passport details, facial images, fingerprints and entry and exit dates at the external border. ETIAS is a separate pre-travel permit. Our EES guide covers what travellers face at the border today.
Beware of scams
Because no official applications are being accepted, third-party websites that claim to issue or pre-sell ETIAS approvals should be avoided. If your trip is booked now, no action is needed.
Electronic travel authorisations are counted in passport indexes. See how they feed into the UAE passport ranking 2026.
