Britons travelling to Europe have been told not to apply for an Etias visa waiver, with more than 150 websites offering to secure entry to the Schengen zone even though the scheme’s rollout has been delayed.
Non-EU citizens — including UK travellers and visitors from other visa-exempt countries such as the US, Australia and Canada — will soon be required to pay €20 (£17) for an electronic waiver to enter the Schengen area under the European travel information and authorisation system (Etias).
The system had been scheduled to take effect shortly after the rollout of the EU’s parallel border scheme, the entry-exit system (EES). Both, however, have been repeatedly postponed, and persistent problems that followed the introduction of EES — including software issues at French entry points — have meant Etias remains suspended.
Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at the travel association Abta, said: “While Etias was due to come into force this year, it is now back on hold. Abta believes it shouldn’t be brought in until EES is fully operational and working properly.
“This is particularly important when you consider that European authorities believe over 150 websites offering Etias already exist, but there is only one official site people should apply through when live.”
Research by Abta found awareness of the impending border requirements was growing, rising from 41% in 2024 to 56%. The cost of applying has gone up from €7 to €20 — travellers aged over 70 and under 18 do not need to pay — but no launch date has been set.
The pan-European border agency Frontex warned about scam websites long before Etias was due to have been introduced. Commercial sites can legitimately apply for the waivers on behalf of clients, but the agency said the risk posed by third parties ranged from data protection and identity theft to extortionate fees.
It found that some unofficial websites were also giving inaccurate information over who needed an Etias while mimicking the layout of the official website and using convincing domain names.
“If you use one of these sites, not only will you lose money, you are also putting your personal data at risk as well,” Petherbridge said. “What I can’t stress is enough that you can’t — and shouldn’t — apply for an Etias now.”
EES is in full operation, but border authorities have been told the EU will not enforce penalties if they continue to suspend the system at entry points when queues escalate.
That flexibility has meant the worst fears of the travel industry have largely been avoided this summer. Abta surveys found only 46% of visitors to Europe reported having full checks, with half of those waiting less than 30 minutes, and only 13% queuing for an hour.
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