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
FlashItalyOctober 17, 2026

ETIAS Launch Delayed to Mid-2025; Beware of Scam Websites Selling Fake Authorizations

PublishedEditorial policy

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), required for visa-exempt entry to the EU, is now expected to launch no earlier than mid-2025. Despite the delay, numerous fraudulent websites are already targeting British travelers, charging money for non-existent ETIAS authorizations and risking person

ETIASEU travelSchengenvisa waivertravel scams

Key takeaways

  • ETIAS will not launch before mid-2025; any websites offering to process it today are fraudulent.
  • The official cost will be €7, and applications can only be made via the official EU portal.
  • British travelers are a primary target for scammers; always verify sources and avoid unofficial websites to protect your money and data.

ETIAS Launch Delayed, Scammers Active

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), initially planned for 2024, has been postponed. Its launch is now anticipated no earlier than mid-2025. Once operational, ETIAS will be mandatory for citizens of countries that do not require a visa for short stays in the EU, including British citizens wishing to travel to Italy, Spain, or other Schengen Area nations.

While the official system is still under development, numerous fraudulent websites are already operating online. These sites often appear official, requesting money and personal data under the guise of processing an ETIAS authorization. British travelers are a primary target for these scams. Victims will not receive any legitimate authorization and risk losing money and compromising their passport details.

Official ETIAS Details (When Launched)

When ETIAS officially launches, applications can only be submitted through the official EU portal. The cost will be €7, and the authorization will be valid for three years or until the applicant's passport expires, whichever comes first. Any current offers to process ETIAS applications are fraudulent.

To protect yourself, always verify information on official European Union sources, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and never enter payment or personal data on unofficial websites.

  • The Local Italy – https://www.thelocal.it/20261016/british-travellers-warned-to-avoid-scam-websites-offering-etias-visa-waiver

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