A new House of Commons Library briefing published on 17 July confirms that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will not start in late 2026 as once planned; the European Commission has removed any firm launch date pending further notice. The report is a timely reminder to UK and other visa-waiver nationals planning trips that additional paperwork is coming, just not yet—and that Ireland remains outside the scheme. Under ETIAS, citizens of some 60 visa-exempt countries will need to apply online and pay €7 before travelling to the Schengen Area and four associated states. However, because Ireland is not in Schengen and maintains the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK, passengers flying directly to Dublin or Shannon will not require ETIAS authorisation. That difference is expected to drive more trans-Atlantic itineraries through Ireland once ETIAS goes live. Travel-management companies are already modelling cost-savings for North American corporates: routing an executive through Dublin rather than Paris could avoid ETIAS fees for multi-stop European trips that start in Ireland and continue into Schengen by air or ferry within the CTA framework. The briefing also notes operational teething problems with the EU Entry/Exit System, live since April, which has sparked queuing at Dover, Eurostar and several airports. Although Ireland is not implementing EES, Irish Border Management Unit officials say they will recognise EES exit records when calculating allowable stay for travellers who enter the CTA via Belfast or British ports before arriving in the Republic. Companies should therefore update traveller-education materials: ETIAS will not apply to Ireland, but staff transiting London or Paris en route to Dublin may still face biometric kiosks and new data requirements.
Source: House of Commons Library
