A Financial Times report cited by Euronews on 8 July indicates that the EU is preparing to postpone the launch of its European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to 2027.
![Financial Times leak suggests ETIAS launch may slip to 2027 after EES queue chaos]()
Whether you’re a traveller uncertain about the shifting entry requirements or a tour operator planning ahead, VisaHQ can help you navigate the changes: the platform offers real-time updates, personalised assistance and streamlined online applications for Italian visas today—and for ETIAS authorisations once they become available. Find out more at
Officially, the European Commission still targets “late 2026”, but the article quotes EU-LISA insiders who call that goal “illusory” given the troubled roll-out of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) earlier this year. Since EES became fully active in April, Italian airports—especially Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa—have struggled with 90-minute passport queues for non-EU nationals as kiosks fail to cope with peak volumes. Airlines, including Ryanair and ITA Airways, have urged Brussels to delay ETIAS, warning that adding a €20 pre-travel authorisation requirement on top of EES would create “double lines” and further choke capacity just as Europe enters peak holiday season. Postponement would give border agencies time to stabilise biometric equipment and upgrade staffing models. Travel industry bodies such as IATA and ACI Europe argue that more pilot testing is needed to integrate carriers’ Advance Passenger Information (API) feeds with ETIAS risk-assessment algorithms. For Italian tour operators, a 2027 start date would avoid having to overhaul booking systems mid-season in 2026, but it also prolongs uncertainty over future compliance costs and data-management obligations. Companies that had budgeted for ETIAS implementation next year may now need to adjust timelines and renegotiate IT vendor contracts. Travellers from visa-waiver markets—including the US, UK and Canada—should continue to monitor official channels; once launched, ETIAS authorisation will be mandatory for entry into Italy and the wider Schengen area, although a six-month grace period is foreseen.
Whether you’re a traveller uncertain about the shifting entry requirements or a tour operator planning ahead, VisaHQ can help you navigate the changes: the platform offers real-time updates, personalised assistance and streamlined online applications for Italian visas today—and for ETIAS authorisations once they become available. Find out more at
Officially, the European Commission still targets “late 2026”, but the article quotes EU-LISA insiders who call that goal “illusory” given the troubled roll-out of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) earlier this year. Since EES became fully active in April, Italian airports—especially Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa—have struggled with 90-minute passport queues for non-EU nationals as kiosks fail to cope with peak volumes. Airlines, including Ryanair and ITA Airways, have urged Brussels to delay ETIAS, warning that adding a €20 pre-travel authorisation requirement on top of EES would create “double lines” and further choke capacity just as Europe enters peak holiday season. Postponement would give border agencies time to stabilise biometric equipment and upgrade staffing models. Travel industry bodies such as IATA and ACI Europe argue that more pilot testing is needed to integrate carriers’ Advance Passenger Information (API) feeds with ETIAS risk-assessment algorithms. For Italian tour operators, a 2027 start date would avoid having to overhaul booking systems mid-season in 2026, but it also prolongs uncertainty over future compliance costs and data-management obligations. Companies that had budgeted for ETIAS implementation next year may now need to adjust timelines and renegotiate IT vendor contracts. Travellers from visa-waiver markets—including the US, UK and Canada—should continue to monitor official channels; once launched, ETIAS authorisation will be mandatory for entry into Italy and the wider Schengen area, although a six-month grace period is foreseen.
