EU Delays Launch of ETIAS Travel Authorization System to 2025

The European Union has officially announced the postponement of the launch of its new pre-arrival authorization system, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), to 2025. The digital system will require foreign travelers, including those from visa-exempt countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., to obtain pre-approval before entering the EU bloc. The delay is attributed to the need for additional time to implement infrastructural changes for the system’s operation.

The ETIAS, similar to the U.S. ESTA system, introduces an electronic pre-approval process with a processing fee of €7 ($7.80). The system is linked to the Entry/Exit System (EES), a border security program scheduled for rollout in 2024.