Scam Sites Charge Fees for Unavailable EU Travel Permit
Over 150 third-party websites are posing as official sources for the ETIAS travel authorization, which is not yet accepting applications.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Europe
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The European Union's ETIAS travel authorization is not currently operating and not accepting applications, yet more than 150 third-party websites are offering related services, some designed to look like official government sites. The EU has warned travelers about commercial intermediaries charging excessive fees and potentially misusing personal or financial information.
Why it matters
Travelers searching online for European entry requirements may be directed to fraudulent sites that charge fees for a service that does not yet exist. Only the official EU website is a verified channel for applications once ETIAS launches.
The count of more than 150 third-party websites comes from monitoring of ETIAS-related online services, while the program itself has no operating application channel. The launch date remains unannounced, so the window during which these sites may operate is unknown.
The players
European Union
The EU is the supranational bloc that is developing the ETIAS travel authorization system for visa-exempt travelers visiting participating European countries.
The details
Some third-party sites are designed to appear as official government websites and surface when travelers search for European entry requirements. The EU has warned that legitimate third parties will be permitted to submit applications on behalf of travelers only after launch.
Timeline
The EU will announce the specific ETIAS launch date several months before the program begins.
Travel Outlook
ETIAS is part of the EU's broader effort to digitize border screening for visa-exempt visitors, following the same pre-launch pattern of unofficial intermediaries that accompanied other electronic travel authorization systems. The gap between announcement and operation is creating an opening for commercial sites that imitate official channels.
Travelers should apply only through the official EU website once ETIAS opens, and should treat third-party services charging fees before launch with caution. Checking the official source before paying any fee protects personal and financial information.
The takeaway
Verify any ETIAS-related website against the official EU source before entering personal or payment details, since no legitimate application channel is open yet.
Further reading
Read more about European travel requirements for visa-exempt visitors.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox News.
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