Eurostar warns of cascading delays at Brussels-Midi amid technical issues and tight border checks
EU Rejects Calls to Suspend Biometric Entry/Exit System Despite Airport Queue Woes
Strike Threat Looms at Brussels Airport as Ground-Handling Firm Alyzia Faces Union Showdown
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ETIAS Launch Pushed to 2027 After EES Queue Chaos—What It Means for Travellers via Belgium
The EU has decided to postpone the start of the ETIAS electronic travel authorisation regime to 2027, citing serious congestion caused by the new biometric Entry/Exit System. The move eases immediate pressure on Brussels Airport and Belgian carriers but extends uncertainty for budget planning by immigration authorities and employers. Travellers remain unaffected by the €20 fee for at least another year.
Launch of ETIAS likely to slip again as EU grapples with EES teething troubles
EU technical agency eu-LISA has told officials that the €20 ETIAS travel authorisation cannot be launched this year, pushing implementation beyond the original ‘late-2026’ target. The delay is linked to ongoing Entry/Exit System problems that have caused queues at several airports, including Brussels.
Flanders Imposes €180 Regional Processing Fee on Single-Permit Work Applications from 1 September 2026
Starting 1 September 2026, the Flemish government will charge a €180 fee on every Single Permit work authorisation application or renewal, pushing total mandatory government fees to €332 for new hires. Employers must budget for the added cost and adjust filing calendars to avoid rejections. The measure underscores Flanders’ tougher stance on labour migration.
Eurostar warns of delays at Brussels-Midi amid network-wide disruptions on 7 July
Live Eurostar updates on 7 July reported technical faults at Brussels-Midi and wider network issues, causing delays of up to an hour on London-Brussels-Amsterdam services. Travellers are urged to monitor notifications and allow extra buffer time for meetings in the Belgian capital.
Belgium to open 300-bed return centre along E17, says Migration Minister Van Bossuyt
A former hotel on Belgium’s E17 will be turned into a 300-place return centre for migrants who must be transferred back to the EU country of first entry. The move underlines Belgium’s tougher stance on secondary asylum movements under the new EU Migration Pact.
EU allows partial suspension of biometric capture under Entry/Exit System until end of summer
Brussels confirmed that border officers can keep skipping fingerprint and facial-image capture under the new Entry/Exit System during busy summer weeks, but only until 30 September 2026. The temporary waiver, already used at Brussels Airport, aims to prevent holiday gridlock while airports fine-tune equipment and staffing.
Belgium increases long-stay (visa D) application fee to €250; embassy urges early booking
Belgium’s embassy in London reconfirms that the cost of a long-stay (visa D) application has climbed to €250/£225 from 1 July 2026 and highlights severe appointment backlogs. Companies must budget for the higher fee and allow more time for filings.
Wallonia Publishes 2026 Shortage-Occupation List Featuring 144 Hard-to-Fill Jobs
Forem’s 2026 shortage-occupation list for Wallonia names 144 hard-to-fill jobs, modernises its methodology and expands the focus on construction, tech and health care. Inclusion on the list grants employers immigration fast-tracks, making it a key planning tool for corporate mobility teams operating in southern Belgium.
Strike notice filed at Brussels Airport cleaning contractor Alyzia
Union CSC has given notice of a possible strike at aircraft-cleaning subcontractor Alyzia in Brussels Airport after the dismissal of a union delegate. The dispute centres on alleged anti-union practices and deteriorating working conditions. Although no flights are yet affected, action during the peak holiday season could slow aircraft turnarounds and lengthen passenger queues, with knock-on effects for business travellers.
EU lets Member States keep partial suspension of EES biometrics through summer, easing pressure at Brussels Airport
The European Commission has authorised Schengen states—including Belgium—to continue a limited waiver on collecting Entry/Exit System biometrics until 30 September 2026. The move is designed to ease long queues at airports such as Brussels during the summer rush and gives companies more predictability for short-term travel.
Brussels Airport suffers more than 100 flight delays in single morning
Seven cancellations and more than 100 delays hit Brussels Airport on 6 July, mostly on short- and medium-haul European routes. The knock-on effect jeopardised connections at London, Paris and Rome and left corporate travellers facing schedule chaos and potential compensation claims.
Five-hour queues for non-EU passengers as new border system bites at Belgian airports
GrenzEcho reports queue times of up to five hours for non-EU passengers at Brussels and Charleroi as the EU’s Entry/Exit System faces its first peak-season test. Belgian police have twice suspended parts of the biometric process to ease congestion, but airlines warn of cascading delays.
EU pledges rapid support to Brussels and other hubs amid industry call to ‘pause’ biometric border checks
A leaked letter shows EU migration chief Magnus Brunner pledging rapid technical and financial aid to airports, including Brussels, struggling with the new EES border checks. The commitment comes after industry bodies called for permission to suspend biometric capture at peak times.
Eurostar warns of delays on Belgian rail network after ‘animal on the line’ incident
Eurostar is advising passengers of delays on 6 July after an animal on the tracks disrupted services on the Belgian network. The incident adds to a series of summer rail challenges and underscores the need for extra connection buffers for business travellers.