Travelers are being targeted in new authorization scam, EU warns

Scam websites are charging travellers for ETIAS authorisations, even though the EU system is not yet operating and applications are not being accepted. The warning matters because these sites can look official and may collect excessive fees or misuse travellers’ personal and financial information.

More than 150 third-party websites reportedly offer ETIAS information or services. The EU says it will announce the launch date several months in advance; once the system begins, legitimate intermediaries may apply on a traveller’s behalf, but people will also be able to use the official EU website. Until then, travellers should check official entry requirements for each country on their itinerary, and anyone who paid a suspicious site should contact their card provider and monitor for fraudulent charges.