Citizenship exam mock tests — CIPLE, DELE, DELF, CELI, DTZCIPLE A2 mock test online — Portuguese citizenship and residencyDELE A2 mock test online — Spanish citizenship and nationalityInburgering A2 (Netherlands) mock test online — eligible Dutch civic-integration and naturalisation routesEllinomatheia A2 (Cyprus) mock test online — Cyprus residency and naturalisation pathways requiring Ellinomatheia A2CCE A2 (Czech) mock test online — Czech permanent-residence language equivalence (CCE A2+) and general A2 certification — citizenship language proof starts at CCE B1 on ÚJOPDTZ B1 (Germany) mock test online — German permanent residence and citizenshipDELF B2 (France) mock test online — French citizenship and residencyCELI 2 (B1) mock test online — Italian citizenship and residencyCAPLE — Portuguese language certificationInstituto Cervantes — DELE Spanish examsContact Prep2go — support@prep2go.study
Prep2Go.study
View plans
All news
FlashAustriaOctober 17, 2026

ETIAS Launch Delayed, Scam Websites Target British Travelers with Fake Authorizations

PublishedEditorial policy

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), initially set for 2024, is delayed until at least 2025. Meanwhile, fraudulent websites are preying on British travelers, charging fees for non-existent ETIAS permits and collecting sensitive data.

ETIASSchengenTravel AuthorizationScam AlertBritish Citizens

Key takeaways

  • ETIAS has been delayed by at least a year; no official launch means no website can legitimately process applications at this time.
  • Fake websites exploit traveler confusion and urgency, collecting personal data and money. Always verify the domain: official EU sources will end in `europa.eu`.
  • British citizens can still enter Austria and the EU visa-free under the old rules; there is no immediate need to apply for ETIAS.

ETIAS Launch Postponed, Scammers Active

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a new entry authorization for non-EU citizens traveling to the Schengen Area. While initially planned for launch in 2024, its implementation has been delayed, with the earliest expected date now being 2025. Until ETIAS officially goes live, the existing visa-free travel rules for British citizens entering Austria and other Schengen countries remain in effect.

Despite the delay, numerous fraudulent websites have emerged, impersonating official ETIAS portals. These scam sites offer to process ETIAS applications for a fee, collecting passport details, payment information, and other sensitive data for a service that either does not exist or is currently useless. Travelers are strongly advised to avoid these sites.

When ETIAS eventually launches, British citizens (and other non-EU citizens who are currently visa-exempt) will need to obtain this pre-authorization, which will be valid for three years or until their passport expires. However, this is not yet required. Official information regarding ETIAS will only be available on European Union websites, specifically those ending in `europa.eu`, once the system is genuinely operational.

Sources

Based on Emigro corridor reporting. Primary links below.

Was this brief helpful?

Turn policy news into a study plan

Browse language decks

Keep vocabulary moving while your residence or citizenship timeline changes.

Start here