Europe Delays ETIAS Travel Authorization Requirement for Israelis Until 2027

Travelers planning trips to Europe in 2026, including Israelis, will not need to comply with the new ETIAS travel authorization requirement as its implementation has been postponed again. Originally set to begin in 2025 and then delayed to the end of 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is now expected to start operating only in 2027, although the European Commission has not yet announced an official launch date. Some EU information pages have removed references to the 2026 start date, while others still show it, leaving the exact timing uncertain.

ETIAS will require visa-exempt travelers, including Israelis, to obtain an online travel authorization before boarding flights to 30 European countries, such as France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein are also included, while Ireland remains outside the system.

The delay is primarily due to technical and operational challenges with the Entry/Exit System (EES), a biometric border control system that ETIAS depends on, which fully launched in April 2026 but has faced technological glitches, border congestion, staffing shortages, and infrastructure issues. Once active, travelers will need to submit an online application with personal, passport, and security information, pay a 20-euro fee valid for three years or until passport expiration, with exemptions from fees for those under 18 and over 70, though all must obtain authorization.

Currently, ETIAS is not operational, no applications can be submitted, and no fees are required. EU authorities emphasize that official announcements will be made months before activation, warning that any websites offering ETIAS authorizations now are not providing valid approvals.