By Gilly Bachelor,
Online fraudsters are cashing in on confusion around Europe’s new travel systems, as dozens of fake ETIAS websites appear online — despite the visa waiver not yet being live.
The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) goes live in just three days’ time (12 October 2025 – a major change that will affect every UK passport holder travelling from the UK to Europe.
The new system introduces biometric checks for all non-EU visitors, including UK passport holders – meaning fingerprints and facial scans will now be part of the border process. While like the US ESTA, the sheer scale of UK–EU travel means this change could cause significant queues and confusion, particularly in the early stages.
While travellers prepare for this change, scammers have already launched more than 60 fake websites claiming to sell the ETIAS visa waiver, which won’t launch until late 2026.
“We see this kind of confusion all the time. Many travellers accidentally land on unofficial websites when applying for entry requirements, such as the ESTA for the USA or Canada’s eTA, and end up paying inflated fees to third parties. That’s why we always direct our clients to the official government links — it’s the safest way to avoid scams and make sure your travel documents are processed correctly.”
When it launches, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will cost €20, be valid for three years, and be free for travellers under 18 or over 70. Any website currently charging for ETIAS applications is fraudulent.
Gilly urges travellers to always be cautious when applying online for Visa’s and to only use links published on https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
“Right now, the only change happening is EES. ETIAS isn’t live yet — so don’t apply, don’t pay, and don’t be fooled.”
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