Travellers planning trips to France and the wider Schengen Area can breathe a little easier: the European Commission’s official ETIAS website was updated on 15 October to state unequivocally that the electronic travel-authorisation system “is currently not in operation” and that “no applications are collected at this point.” The page adds that the EU will announce a definitive start date “several months prior to launch,” ending speculation that ETIAS might quietly commence in late 2026. ETIAS—often dubbed “Europe’s ESTA”—was originally slated for 2021, then postponed to 2024, 2025 and most recently mid-2026. Airlines, ferry operators and the French tourism industry had lobbied for a stable timetable, warning that ambiguous dates make it hard to update check-in systems and train staff. With today’s clarification, carriers serving France’s airports can focus on integrating Entry/Exit System (EES) biometrics, now due in May 2027. For French consulates the delay means continued pressure on short-stay visa sections, because ETIAS is expected to divert up to 20 % of “easy” applications once operational. Consular managers in New York and London told Global Mobility News they will keep temporary staff on contract through summer 2027 in anticipation of another peak season without ETIAS relief. Corporate mobility teams should update traveller communications: nationals of Canada, the United States, the UK and dozens of other visa-exempt countries do not need to apply for ETIAS for travel in 2026. However, once the system does go live, companies will need to capture and store ETIAS authorisation numbers in their duty-of-care platforms, similar to the Australian ETA or US ESTA today.
