ETIAS implementation may be delayed to 2027

The implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) may be delayed until 2027, despite previous plans for a launch in the final quarter of 2026. Indications of this delay have emerged following technical difficulties encountered with the Entry/Exit System (EES), which began digital registration and biometric checks for non-EU citizens in April.

Reports suggest that the EES implementation has caused significant congestion and increased waiting times at various airports and land border crossings across Europe. While the European Commission has recently defined technical specifications and architecture for the system—to be managed by the agency LISA—official communications regarding the 2026 timeline have been adjusted on some platforms.

In September, the Polish government and its diplomatic service indicated that the launch of ETIAS is planned for 2027. Although a formal decision from the European Commission to postpone the system has not been officially finalized, these signals suggest a shift in the expected timeline for travelers requiring electronic authorization to enter the Schengen Area.