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Tips & Advice · 4 min read · Jan 15, 2026

EU border shambles: the new €20 ETIAS travel permit has been kicked into 2027

For once, the delay is good news. More red tape has been shoved into the long grass – meaning travel this year looks easier (and cheaper) than we feared.

Short on time? Here’s the quick version.

ETIAS (the EU’s upcoming travel authorisation) has slipped into 2027 for most travellers in practice, after problems rolling out the new biometric border system EES. Portugal has formally suspended EES at Lisbon Airport for three months, and other airports have reported delays and “teething problems”. The airports trade body ACI EUROPE has even called for an urgent review – which all adds up to one thing for Brits: less admin, fewer fees and fewer last-minute hoops in 2026.

What you'll find in this article:

Brits have been braced for yet another layer of post-Brexit travel faff: forms, fees, and a “permission slip” to enter Europe.

But here’s the plot twist: the EU’s much-hyped travel authorisation scheme – ETIAS – has been pushed back again, with the practical reality now pointing to 2027 for most travellers. And the reason? The shiny new biometric border system it depends on, EES, is causing chaos at airports.

Map of EU / EES

What’s changed with ETIAS?

ETIAS is the EU’s upcoming travel authorisation for visa-free visitors (including UK passport holders) travelling into the Schengen area for short stays.

It’s been delayed for years already – and now the latest official timelines mean it’s not expected to bite for most travellers until 2027, thanks to a phased rollout and grace periods.

Why has it been delayed?

ETIAS doesn’t launch in a vacuum. It sits on top of the EU’s new biometric border system EES – and if EES can’t run smoothly at airports and ports, ETIAS can’t realistically be rolled out at scale without making queues even worse.

In other words: the EU wants to modernise borders, but the tech has to work in the real world first – and right now, that’s proving harder than the brochures suggested.

Closed EES gates in Sicily

EES chaos: suspensions and delays

EES (the Entry/Exit System) is the system that replaces passport stamping with a digital record, using biometrics like fingerprints and facial images for non-EU travellers.

But rollout has been rough. Most dramatically, Portugal has formally suspended EES at Lisbon Airport for three months after serious delays at passport control.

Elsewhere, travellers and industry reporting have described long queues, system “teething issues”, and airports struggling to keep passengers moving at peak times.

Airports demand a rethink

When airports start publicly calling for a rethink, you know it’s not just “a few grumpy passengers”.

ACI EUROPE – the association representing European airports – has called for an urgent review of EES implementation to avoid wider disruption, warning that operational issues could have knock-on effects for passengers and airport safety if they aren’t addressed.

WHAT BRITS NEED TO KNOW

  • No ETIAS for most travel this year. The EU’s travel permit has slipped into 2027 in practical terms – meaning one less thing to do before you fly.
  • No new fee (yet). That’s money saved – especially for families travelling together.
  • EES is not “everywhere, all at once”. It’s being phased in, and some locations have paused or dialled it back when queues got out of hand.
  • Still expect occasional queues. Some airports are bedding the tech in, so delays can flare up depending on time of day and how busy arrivals are.
  • Bottom line: 2026 travel looks easier than we thought. Less admin. Less cost. Less “new rules” stress.

What to do before you travel

  • Don’t pay anyone for an “ETIAS application” – if you see a website trying to sell one right now, it’s not official.
  • Allow extra time at passport control at busy EU airports, especially in peak holiday periods.
  • Check your passport validity as usual (and keep an eye on entry requirements for your destination).
  • Watch for airport updates if you’re flying into major hubs – because rollout can vary by location and lane.

Quick ETIAS & EES FAQs

Do I need to do anything for ETIAS right now?
No. ETIAS isn’t something you can validly apply for today in the way many scam sites imply, and the practical requirement won’t hit most travellers until 2027.

Will EES affect me in 2026?
Possibly. EES is being phased in at different border points. Some travellers may see biometric checks; others may still see manual stamping depending on where they enter and how the airport is operating that day.

Is this all bad news?
For holidaymakers in 2026, it’s mostly good news: fewer hoops, fewer fees, and less admin than expected. The “shambles” angle is about rollout headaches – not your ability to travel this summer.


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