Martin Lewis's MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) team has issued a fresh warning to holidaymakers, urging them not to fall for fraudulent websites offering European travel authorisation paperwork. The alert comes as UK travellers prepare for new entry requirements for much of the continent.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will soon be required for UK nationals visiting 30 European countries. The scheme, which costs €20 per person, will be valid for three years and permit stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, the system is not yet operational, and MSE says it is not expected to launch until at least October 2026.
Despite this, the consumer website has warned that so-called 'shyster firms' are already charging people for ETIAS applications. MSE said: “Any firm offering to sell or fast-track an ETIAS for you is a fake. Don't be taken in!” The application portal is not even up and running, yet some companies are setting up to profit from unsuspecting travellers.
The warning follows the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) last year, which replaced manual passport stamping for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area. Under the new digital border controls, UK passport holders must provide fingerprints and a facial photograph at a kiosk or booth on first entry, a process that may take slightly longer than before. Their entry and exit dates, location, and biometric data will then be stored for three years.
The Schengen Area comprises Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen Area, meaning EES does not apply when travelling to either destination.
