ETIAS Launch Delayed to Late 2026; EES Rollout Precedes EU Travel

Most travelers from visa‑exempt countries such as the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, the UK, and Australia will not need ETIAS for trips in 2025 or in early to mid‑2026, even though many older articles still say it starts sooner. The European Union’s current plan is clear: first comes the Entry/Exit System (EES), starting October 12, 2025 and reaching full operation by April 10, 2026. Only after that will ETIAS start, now set for the last quarter of 2026, with the exact date still to be announced.

For travelers, that means the next big change at the border is not an online fee or a new permit in 2025—it’s the move away from passport stamps and toward biometric checks. The practical risk for travelers is less about the fee and more about timing: missing one step—especially during early rollout months—can mean missed flights, denied boarding, or long lines that ruin tight connections (analysis by VisaVerge.com).

Key timeline at a glance

It helps to keep the EU’s travel changes in a simple sequence because the timing has moved more than once and confusion is widespread.

The “progressive rollout” means experiences will vary by location and time. You may still see passport stamps in some places while EES records are built in the background.

Important: There is no ETIAS requirement for 2025 trips, but there is a real chance of slower border lines from late 2025 onward because EES enrollment takes time—especially on first entries.

ETIAS in plain language: Europe’s online travel “green light”

• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is not a visa. It’s a pre‑travel approval for people who already have visa‑free access for short stays.
• It is often compared to the U.S. ESTA: you apply online, pay a fee if applicable, and receive a yes/no decision before you travel.

Key ETIAS features:

• Covers short stays (tourism, business, transit): up to 90 days in any 180‑day period.
• Approval validity: three years, or until your passport expires—whichever comes first.
• No sticker or paper letter: the approval is electronically linked to your passport.
• Fee: €20 for those in the paying age band; waived for travelers under 18 or over 70.

Why the EU is introducing ETIAS:

• Stronger security checks before travel.
• Better detection of identity fraud.
• To support smoother border checks once people arrive (more screening moved to the front end).

For official updates and launch timing, rely on the EU’s material, including the EU’s official ETIAS page: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en. Treat paid third‑party sites with caution.

Entry/Exit System (EES): the first big change travelers will feel

Although ETIAS gets headlines, EES is likely to be the change travelers notice first because it starts in October 2025 and alters the physical border process.

What EES replaces and records:

• Replaces manual passport stamping with electronic entry/exit records.
• Records your identity and passport details.
• Records dates and places you enter and leave.
• Collects biometrics for most non‑EU travelers (facial image and fingerprints).

Impact on the 90/180 rule:

• EES can calculate stays more accurately than stamp‑based checks.
• This should reduce accidental overstays and increase enforcement accuracy.

During the progressive rollout (Oct 12, 2025 – Apr 10, 2026), expect uneven experiences: some border points may collect biometrics sooner; the first EES enrollment takes longer than repeat entries, so your first trip after rollout may be much slower.

Step‑by‑step: what travelers and authorities will do (four eras)

Because EES comes first and ETIAS follows, travelers will pass through three distinct transition periods and one eventual steady state.

Step 1 — Now through early October 2025: travel as usual for visa‑exempt short stays

What you do:

1. Book travel.
2. Show a valid passport at check‑in and at the border.
3. Meet normal entry conditions (purpose of stay, time limits, etc.).

Notes:

• Border officers can still request supporting evidence (return ticket, accommodation, proof of funds).
• ETIAS is not yet operating, so no pre‑travel application is required.

Step 2 — October 12, 2025 to April 10, 2026: EES enrollment begins, lines may grow

What you should do:

• Build extra time into your arrival plans, especially at busy airports and peak periods.
• If you have tight onward connections, plan for possible delays at your first external Schengen border.

What authorities will do:

• Begin biometric collection at some borders.
• Create electronic entry records that replace reliance on stamps.

Estimated effect:

• The first EES registration can take longer than a routine check. Expect longer queues, particularly for first-time entries after EES starts.

Step 3 — April 10, 2026 to late 2026: EES fully operational, ETIAS not yet required

What you should do:

• Treat Schengen time tracking as strict; entries/exits are recorded electronically.
• Ensure your passport meets Schengen standards: issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure.

What authorities will do:

• Use EES records as the primary proof of entries/exits.
• Continue regular entry checks; processes may stabilize over time.

Notes:

• ETIAS still will not be mandatory during this period.

Step 4 — Late 2026 onward: ETIAS becomes part of boarding and entry checks

What you should do (before travel):

1. Apply online for ETIAS once it’s launched.
2. Pay €20 if you’re in the paying age band (waived under 18 or over 70).
3. Ensure the decision is linked to the passport you will travel on.

What carriers and authorities will do:

• Airlines, ferries, and some coach operators will check ETIAS status before boarding.
• Border officers will see both your ETIAS status and your EES travel record.

Processing times:

• About 95% of applications are expected to be decided within minutes.
• If automated checks are needed, the standard maximum can be up to 96 hours.
• Manual reviews or requests for extra documents can take up to four weeks.

How to apply for ETIAS (what you’ll need)

ETIAS will be fully online and centered on identity checks and screening questions. Expect to provide:

• Personal information (name, date & place of birth, contact details).
• Passport details (number, issue/expiry dates, issuing country).
• Intended first country of entry.
• Basic questions about security, health, and travel history.

Screening checks include matches against EU and international databases such as SIS, VIS, Europol data, Interpol’s SLTD, ECRIS, EURODAC, plus ETIAS rules and watchlists.

Practical tips:

• Every traveler—even infants—needs their own authorization.
• Make sure the passport number and expiry date you enter match the passport you will actually use.
• A new passport generally requires a new ETIAS link, so check each time you book.

Border checks after ETIAS: approval isn’t a guarantee of entry

• ETIAS approval allows you to travel to the border and seek entry; it does not guarantee admission.
• Border officers can still refuse entry based on normal rules.

Officers may still ask for:

• Proof of return or onward travel.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Proof of funds.
• Other supporting documents as needed.

ETIAS may make routine cases smoother once systems settle, but it also front‑loads screening. Repeated close-to‑limit stays (near the 90‑day rule) will be easier for authorities to spot and question.

Transitional and grace periods after ETIAS launch

The rollout plan described includes phased start periods:

• A first six‑month transitional period: ETIAS is available and strongly encouraged; travelers may still be admitted without it if they meet other entry rules.
• A following six‑month grace period: some first‑time arrivals since the end of the transitional period may still be allowed in without ETIAS if otherwise eligible, but most travelers will be required to hold ETIAS.
• After these 12 months, ETIAS becomes fully mandatory for visa‑exempt travelers.

Practical warning:

• Don’t rely on transitional/grace periods as a plan. Carriers often refuse boarding if you lack required authorization, even if a border officer might later admit you.

How ETIAS compares to ESTA and the UK ETA

• ETIAS will feel familiar to ESTA users: online application, database checks, passport‑linked approval, and carrier checks before boarding.
• Differences include fee, validity period, and which countries are covered.
• The UK’s ETA is a separate system expanding through 2025–2026. It does not replace ETIAS and vice versa.
• If you plan combined trips (e.g., London + Paris), you may need both ETIAS and the UK ETA—applied separately and linked to the correct passport.

Practical travel planning tips for 2025–2027

For late 2025 and early 2026 (EES rollout):

• Plan for longer queues at first Schengen external borders.
• Build extra buffer time for connections through big hubs during busy seasons.
• Track days spent in Schengen carefully—EES records entries/exits electronically.

For late 2026 and 2027 (ETIAS live):

• Avoid last‑minute ETIAS applications—processing can take up to four weeks in complex cases.
• Apply well before booking non‑refundable travel.
• Recheck that your authorization matches your passport; a new passport means a new ETIAS.

General protections against scams:

• Beware copycat, fee‑charging websites promising “fast approval” or “premium processing.”
• Use official sources for timing and application instructions and keep confirmation emails tied to your passport details.

Final takeaway: the immediate border change is EES (biometric enrollment and electronic records) starting Oct 12, 2025. ETIAS follows in late 2026 and adds a pre‑travel authorization step. Plan for time at borders during rollout, double‑check passport details, and rely on official EU sources such as https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en.