As new travel rules come into effect between the UK and Europe, confusion and opportunistic scams are already surfacing.

With the UK’s ETA now mandatory for European Union (EU) visitors and the EU’s ETIAS not launching until 2026, experts are urging travelers to stay informed and vigilant.

EU travelers must now apply to enter UK

As of April 2nd, 2025, most travelers from the European Union now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before visiting the UK. The requirement applies to those without a British or Irish passport, or who don’t hold a visa or qualify for an exemption. 

The permit costs £10, but the fee will increase to £16 starting April 9th.

This move marks the first of three major changes affecting cross-border travel between the UK and EU. The UK has already rolled out ETA requirements for many other visa-free nationalities.

Now, EU citizens are included.

“Anyone with friends, family, or colleagues visiting from Europe should double-check if an ETA is needed,” advised Graeme Buck, Director of Communications at ABTA, the UK’s leading travel association.

No actions required for Brits traveling to Europe yet

Despite the headlines, British travelers heading to Europe can relax—for now. A matching system for the EU, known as ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), will not go live until at least the end of 2026.

Even then, ETIAS is expected to include a grace period of up to six months. During that window, UK nationals may still enter Europe without it, as long as they meet all other entry conditions​.

“When it comes to travel into Europe, nothing is changing for UK travelers this summer,” Buck confirmed. “But, with two further changes planned, the situation may not seem simple.”

Digital border system to arrive first

Before ETIAS launches, the EU must first introduce a new Entry/Exit System (EES). The EES will digitize border control across the Schengen Area, replacing manual passport stamps with facial recognition and fingerprint scans.

The EES has faced repeated delays but is now expected to begin rolling out in October 2025. It will launch in phases over six months, so changes won’t hit all travelers at once​.

Once the EES is fully operational, ETIAS will follow.

Scammers exploit ETIAS confusion

Scammers have seized the moment. As travelers search online for information about ETIAS, fake websites promising early access are springing up.

These fraudulent sites often mimic official portals and charge fees for services that don’t yet exist.

“There is already a wave of unofficial websites pretending to offer ETIAS,” warned ABTA. “But because the system isn’t live—and won’t be for some time—people who try to apply now may lose money or have their personal data stolen.”

Some sites look professional and even ask for passport details, travel dates, and payment information. That data could be misused or sold, turning a fake visa purchase into a long-term identity theft risk.

What ETIAS will actually require

When it does arrive, ETIAS will mirror the U.S. ESTA system. Travelers will apply online, pay a small fee—expected to be €7—and receive an authorization valid for three years, or until their passport expires.

It will cover short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.​

The document will be mandatory for visitors between 18 and 70 years old. Others will still need to apply but won’t have to pay.

Applications will be processed on a single official website, which the EU will launch closer to the go-live date​.

Travelers will need to provide personal information, passport details, intended travel plans, and disclose any criminal history from the past 20 years. They must also name the Schengen country they plan to enter first.

Travelers urged to wait for verified updates

For now, experts say that the best defense is patience. No British traveler needs to apply for ETIAS yet.

No legitimate ETIAS applications are being accepted. Additionally, the EU will announce clear instructions when the system opens.

“Only act on verified updates from official government or EU sources,” Buck said. “We’ll be supporting our members and travelers when the time comes.”

Stay smart, stay informed

As international travel undergoes significant changes, clarity and caution have never been more crucial. With the UK’s ETA now live and Europe’s ETIAS on the horizon—set for a late 2026 rollout—travelers must remain vigilant against a rising tide of opportunistic scams.

The best safeguard? Awareness.

Always consult official sources, follow ABTA’s guidance, and remember: if a travel document isn’t live yet, neither are any fees or forms. In an age where digital borders are tightening, the smartest passport you can carry is knowledge.