The European Union plans to postpone the launch of its ETIAS travel authorisation scheme until 2027, following a turbulent rollout of the bloc's biometric border system. The Entry/Exit System, which became fully operational across the Schengen area in April 2026, has triggered severe congestion at borders, with the European Commission identifying 20 problem points plagued by lengthy queues.
Despite urgent appeals from aviation groups and warnings of disruption at the Port of Dover, the EU has refused to suspend the EES. However, nine European nations have asked the Commission to extend an emergency mechanism — set to expire on 6 September — that allows temporary suspension of fingerprint and facial scans to prevent gridlock.
The ETIAS system, applicable across 30 European countries, will require a €20 fee valid for three years, with exemptions for travellers under 18 and over 70.