Nine EU countries further delay EES border checks

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Financial Intelligence • Markets • World News • Independent Analysis
Published: 2026-09-14 • Permanent link

Rumors are swirling around the European Union as nine countries, including France and Greece, delay the introduction of new border checks for the Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The nine countries, which include Italy, Spain, and Portugal, have pushed back the rollout from 2023 to 2025. The decision has sent shockwaves through the travel industry, with many airlines and travel agencies already investing in the new system. The delay has also raised concerns among investors, who had expected the rollout to generate significant revenue.

The delay is a significant blow to the travel industry, which had been preparing for the introduction of ETIAS. Many airlines and travel agencies had already begun to invest in the new system, and some had even started to charge customers for the service. The delay is likely to result in significant losses for these companies, which had expected to generate significant revenue from the new system. The delay is also likely to have a ripple effect on the broader economy, which had been anticipating an increase in travel to the EU.

Delay is a significant setback for the EU's efforts to streamline its border control process. ETIAS was designed to reduce the administrative burden on border control officers and make it easier for travelers to visit the EU. The system was expected to generate significant revenue for the EU, which had been struggling to balance its budget. The delay is likely to raise questions about the effectiveness of the EU's border control policies and the need for further reform.

EU is expected to review the delay and consider alternative solutions. Some experts have suggested that the EU could consider implementing a phased rollout of ETIAS, which would allow countries to introduce the system at different times. Others have suggested that the EU could consider alternative technologies, such as biometric passports, to reduce the need for ETIAS. Whatever solution the EU chooses, it is likely to have significant implications for the travel industry and the broader economy.