Switzerland Joins France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, and Others to Face Potential Border Delays in Europe as ETIAS System Delayed Until the Last Quarter of 2026: Everything You Need To Know

Published on December 6, 2025

Switzerland joins France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, and others in facing potential border delays as the ETIAS system is delayed until the last quarter of 2026, straining security and immigration procedures. This delay has significant implications for countries that were relying on ETIAS to streamline border control processes and enhance security measures. With the postponement, these countries now face extended waiting times at airports and borders, increased pressure on local immigration systems, and potential security gaps as they continue to rely on traditional methods of control. Popular tourist destinations and key transit hubs across Europe, including Switzerland, will experience heightened strain on their resources, ultimately affecting the flow of travelers and security protocols.

France: Border Bottleneck and Security Strain

France, a primary entry point for non-EU travelers through airports like Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Nice, faces a significant delay in the ETIAS system. The delay means the country will have to rely entirely on the Entry/Exit System (EES) for biometric data collection, creating potential bottlenecks at the borders, longer queues, and a heavier workload for border personnel. This lack of pre-screening increases the risk of high-risk travelers entering the country, straining security resources. Popular tourist spots such as the Eiffel Tower and the French Riviera might experience delays due to these added security checks.

Spain: Overcrowding and Strained Local Measures

Spain, known for tourist hotspots like Barcelona, Madrid, and the Canary Islands, was preparing for ETIAS to help manage crowds and enhance security. Now, with the delay, Spain faces pressure on local measures like tourist taxes and rental restrictions to deal with overtourism. Without ETIAS’s pre-authorization, Spain’s airports and cities have to manage unvetted visitors, exacerbating existing overcrowding issues. The delay also affects Spain’s ability to implement full security checks, forcing authorities to rely more on local regulations and manual immigration controls.

Italy: Increased Delays and Border Strain

Italy, famous for landmarks like the Colosseum, Vatican, and Venice, was relying on ETIAS to streamline security screening. Due to the delay, Italy now depends on the EES system for biometric checks at airports such as Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, leading to longer security delays. The lack of ETIAS forces Italy to allocate more resources to border personnel and infrastructure, further affecting travel experiences and processing times.

Germany: Transit Troubles and Longer Waits

Germany, as a transit hub for Schengen Area travelers, faces extended waiting times at borders due to the ETIAS delay. While less reliant on air travel compared to other countries, Germany still experiences pressure at internal borders. Without early ETIAS vetting, travelers face longer waiting times, contributing to a backlog in transit. The country will have to rely more heavily on EES for border tracking, which may not be as effective in managing the flow of travelers.

Greece: Visa-Free Entry, but Security Risks

Greece, a major tourist destination, especially for visitors from the US, UK, and Australia, benefits from continued visa-free entry due to the ETIAS delay. However, this ease of entry means the country lacks the added security checks ETIAS would provide. The absence of pre-screening could lead to increased tourism demand and security risks, putting pressure on Greece’s border control resources, especially in tourist-heavy regions like Santorini and Mykonos.

Austria: A Smaller but Significant Impact

Austria, though not a major entry point, plays a key role as a transit country for travelers moving between Schengen nations. The ETIAS delay means Austria will rely solely on EES for biometric data collection, placing extra strain on border personnel who must manually process travelers. While the country’s fewer external borders reduce its exposure to the immediate effects, there is still a risk of delayed screenings.

The Netherlands: Managing Crowds and Tourism Flow

The Netherlands, especially Amsterdam, faces significant challenges due to the ETIAS delay. The system was expected to assist in managing tourist crowds and controlling overtourism, but with its delay, the country now relies on traditional methods like limiting short-term rentals and controlling hotel growth. The delay also puts pressure on immigration procedures as the country must manage high visitor numbers without the early security screenings that ETIAS would have provided.

Switzerland: Coordination Challenges and Border Delays

Switzerland, not an EU member but part of the Schengen Area, faces challenges with the ETIAS delay, particularly in coordinating border control systems with the EU. Without ETIAS, the country continues to rely on the EES system for tracking non-EU visitors, which creates potential delays in screening and coordination during peak travel periods. The delay complicates the integration of Swiss border systems with those of the EU, leading to possible security concerns.

The ETIAS Delay: Strain on Borders and Resources

Across all these countries, the ETIAS delay creates a growing strain on border control systems and local infrastructure. While some countries might benefit from easier visa-free entry, the long-term consequences include increased security risks and challenges in managing large volumes of visitors. The reliance on traditional methods of border control and crowd management may ultimately lead to longer delays and a heavier workload for authorities, impacting both security and tourism experiences.

Switzerland joins France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, and others in facing potential border delays as the ETIAS system is delayed until the last quarter of 2026, straining security and immigration procedures.

Conclusion

Switzerland, along with France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, and others, will face significant border delays as the ETIAS system is delayed until the last quarter of 2026. This delay will continue to strain security and immigration procedures, causing longer wait times and added pressure on local measures. As these countries rely on alternative methods for border control, the challenges of managing tourism and security will persist, making the implementation of ETIAS even more crucial for smoother and safer entry into Europe in the future.