Warning issued as scammers target UK travellers amid EU entry rules,
A warning has been issued as scammers are said to be targetting travellers during the rollout of the new EU border system.
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to launch this weekend, aiming to make going through airport checks faster.
But scammers are said to be taking advantage of confusion over the new rules.
The EES will require non-EU passport holders and those crossing Schengen borders to provide biometric data and fingerprints.
There is currently no need for visa-exempt non-EU nationals to obtain any additional documentation to travel.
However, later in 2026 another new system will be rolled out, known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
Scammers are preying on confusion over this second system.
Under the new ETIAS rules, travellers who don’t need a visa from non-EU countries, including the UK, Australia, the US and Canada, will have to obtain authorisation before short stays in the Schengen Area.
In order to obtain this, travellers will need to complete an online application, provide personal details, answer security questions ad pay a €20 (£17.40) fee.
Travellers from 60 non-EU countries will need to comply with the ETIAS, but there are some exceptions.
For example, the fee will be waived for children under 18 and adults over 70.
However, they will still need to apply for authorisation.
It will apply to 30 European countries – all EU states except Ireland plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
But some travellers may confuse the upcoming EES – for which no extra applications are required – with the ETIAS.
The association of travel agents and tour operators ABTA and the European Union have made it clear scammers are taking advantage of this opportunity.
ABTA told EuroNews: ‘People who try to apply for an ETIAS now may be at risk of fraud, with a loss of money and possibly personal data too.’
More than 60 fake websites have claimed to sell the ETIAS visa waiver – which has still not yet been introduced, ABTA said.
When it is brought into operation, the only place to apply will be on the official website.
Travellers have been warned to ignore apps, websites, or social media posts claiming to offer alternatives.
ABTA Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge said: ‘The European Union is very keen to stress the fact that there is only one official site for purchasing an ETIAS visa-waiver, and people should not use other channels.’
