The planned rollout of Europe’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel authorisation permit has been delayed indefinitely.In a bid to stop scammers tricking tourists into believing they need the yet-to-be introduced additional visa, the European Union’s official ETIAS website has clarified ‘the system is currently not in operation’.For many international travellers, entering a list of 30 European countries – including the likes of France and Spain – already requires a visa.For visitors from visa-exempt countries, including the UK, until now it has been relatively simple to enter the Schengen Zone.However, the implementation of the ETIAS means travellers from visa-exempt countries will have to get new electronic travel authorisation, costing around 20 euros (£17), to enter the zone.Its eventual introduction will see nationals of 59 visa-exempt countries and territories, including the US, Canada and Japan, require the additional digital documentation. The new ETIAS system, which will be used in certain European countries, has been delayed Once ETIAS goes live, airlines, cruise lines and other carriers will have to check passengers have a valid travel authorisation before boarding, the EU website explains.First announced in 2021, it was expected to be fully launched in 2027. However, the timeline for its rollout is now uncertain, and travellers have been warned of potential scams in the meantime. A European Commission spokesperson said: ‘Preparations for the launch of ETIAS are ongoing. Obviously, as with any large-scale IT system, many factors come into play when deciding when to launch it.’Once all conditions are in place, the Commission will set a date for the start of the system.’Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of AirAdvisor, said: ‘The biggest problem with ETIAS at this point is not the principle of having a travel authorisation system. It is the uncertainty around it. ‘Travellers have been hearing for years that ETIAS is coming, dates have repeatedly moved, and now we are back in a position where there is no confirmed start date. ‘That creates exactly the kind of confusion scammers thrive on. ‘For British travellers, the most important thing to understand today is very simple: ETIAS is not live, and you cannot currently apply for one. ‘So if a website, email or social media advert tells you that you need to buy an ETIAS now for an upcoming European holiday, that should immediately set alarm bells ringing. ‘Nobody can issue you a genuine ETIAS authorisation while the official system is not accepting applications.’It comes amid chaos regarding the new EU border system across Europe. Passengers have faced queues of up to two hours at major European airports this summer following the rollout of the new Entry/Exit System (EES). Across Europe, passengers have already faced queues, missed flights and hours of delays since the introduction of the EU’s EES.Under the new system, non-EU travellers must have their fingerprints and a facial image recorded when crossing the bloc’s external borders. It comes amid the ongoing chaos regarding the new EES digital border systemSince its launch on April 10, the system has caused disruption at border controls, with some passengers reportedly left scrambling to make their flights.Anton says this is contributing to scams: ‘The confusion between EES and ETIAS makes this even easier to exploit. EES is the border system people are already encountering when they travel into Europe. ‘ETIAS is the separate pre-travel authorisation that will eventually need to be obtained before travelling. They are not the same thing, but I suspect many passengers understandably see a string of acronyms and assume they have another form to complete.Join the discussionAre Europe’s new travel rules making borders safer or just creating chaos for travellers?What’s your view?’My advice is not to search Google for ‘buy ETIAS’ and click the first result. Wait for the EU to announce that applications are officially open and then go directly through an official europa.eu website or the official app. ‘Be particularly suspicious of anyone creating urgency around it, telling you there are limited application slots, that you need to pay immediately to secure your holiday, or asking for passport and card details before the scheme has even launched.’What worries me more than somebody losing an unnecessary application fee is the information they are handing over. ‘A fake ETIAS form is the perfect way to collect a traveller’s full name, date of birth, passport details, home address and payment information in one place. That is why people should treat this as an identity-fraud risk, not simply a case of being overcharged.’Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, added: ‘Introducing European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) right now would have pushed an already strained European border system over the edge. Scammers are preying on travellers, with tourists warned they should beware of fake ETIAS sales online’Those travelling for work are currently navigating the chaotic first phase of biometric EES registration, which is already taking its toll, causing delays to all travellers. ‘We welcome pushing ETIAS into next year – it prevents a double-layer of set backs. However, this pause cannot become an indefinite delay – we fundamentally need to modernise our borders, and ETIAS is a vital step towards this.’Once implemented, the ETIAS will cost €20 (£17) and will be valid for three years or until your passport expires. Seamus McCauley, head of public affairs at Holiday Extras, added: ‘There’s a rare piece of good news buried in this year’s border shake-up. ‘ETIAS, the EU’s forthcoming €20 pre-travel authorisation for UK and other visa-exempt visitors, was due to land on top of EES in the last quarter of 2026. The EU agency building the system, eu-LISA, has told officials that a 2026 launch is no longer realistic. ‘The European Commission hasn’t confirmed a new date, it has simply removed ‘last quarter of 2026’ from the official ETIAS website.’A firmer timeline is not expected until eu-LISA’s board meets again in September. The industry now generally expects ETIAS to drop in 2027 at the earliest.’Seamus added: ‘For UK travellers, the practical upshot is straightforward: you won’t need to add a second layer of paperwork and fees on top of EES for at least a few more months, and probably not until next year. ‘Given how difficult EES itself has been, that’s one part of Europe’s new border regime holidaymakers can, for now, safely put out of mind.’When it is implemented, the ETIAS will permit entry to included European countries as often as you want for short-term stays – normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.