Unofficial ETIAS Websites Can Mislead Travellers

As the European Union prepares its new travel authorisation, a wave of unofficial ETIAS websites has appeared online. Many present themselves as official sources of information about the upcoming requirement for visa-free nationals, in a range of languages, and not all of them are trustworthy.

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Why unofficial sites are a problem

Some of the information published on these websites about ETIAS is simply wrong. Many of them illegally use the official EU logo to appear as an official EU website, while others already collect travellers' personal data – a worrying practice given how sensitive that information is.

It is worth noting that the ETIAS regulation does allow commercial intermediaries to apply for the authorisation on behalf of others. Some of these websites are run by genuine businesses, but others may act dishonestly. Because an application involves submitting personal details and credit card information, it is essential that the platform collecting this data is secure and that the information is not misused.

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How to apply safely

To apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation, it is best to use the official ETIAS website. The European Union does not issue authorisations or licences to commercial intermediaries. Once ETIAS launches in 2024, intermediaries will themselves use the official website to apply on behalf of clients, and applying directly on the official site will cost just EUR 20; any additional charges go to the intermediary rather than the EU.

The simplest safeguard is to check the web address. All official European Union websites can be recognised by the europa.eu domain. Before entering any personal or payment details, confirm you are on the genuine page and review the official ETIAS application guidance so you know what the real process looks like.