Fake ETIAS Websites: How to Spot Them and Where to Apply Safely
Dozens of unofficial sites are collecting ETIAS fees and personal data before the system even launches. The only legitimate portal is the official EU site at europa.eu/etias.
Why this is a problem
Frontex, the EU border and coast guard agency, has identified over 100 unofficial ETIAS-related websites. These sites have proliferated well ahead of the Q4 2026 launch, at a time when the official system has not yet opened and no legitimate application process exists. Risks range from fee overcharging — paying more than the €20 official fee for nothing — to the submission of personal and passport data to unidentified parties.
The problem is expected to intensify as the launch date approaches and search interest in ETIAS increases. Travelers who search for ETIAS application sites without navigating directly to the official domain may encounter unofficial sites prominently in search results and sponsored placements.
What unofficial sites do
Some unofficial sites position themselves as application assistance services, charging a service fee — anywhere from a few euros to significantly more than the official rate — to complete the official form on the traveler's behalf. Even where one of these eventually submits through the correct portal, none are authorized intermediaries, and travelers have no guarantee of what was submitted or where their data was sent.
Others collect personal information — passport details, date of birth, contact information — under the guise of an ETIAS application, with no legitimate process behind it. Some use EU branding, official-looking page designs, and domain names designed to appear credible to someone unfamiliar with the official domain.
How to identify the official site
The official ETIAS application portal is hosted on the europa.eu domain. This is the only domain operated by the European Union for official ETIAS applications. Any site operating on a different domain and claiming to accept ETIAS applications is not the official portal.
No ETIAS applications are currently being accepted. ETIAS has not yet launched. Any website claiming to accept applications before the official launch date is not processing genuine ETIAS authorizations. The official launch will be announced by the European Commission and publicized through official EU channels. [the official ETIAS site](https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en)
What to do if you've already used an unofficial site
If you have submitted personal or passport information to an unofficial ETIAS site, review what data was provided and monitor for potential misuse. Passport data combined with personal details can be used for identity-related fraud.
Reports of unofficial or fraudulent ETIAS sites can be made to Frontex through their official reporting channel. [Frontex](https://www.frontex.europa.eu/media-centre/news/news-release/beware-of-risks-posed-by-unofficial-etias-websites-eNZniu)
Commercial intermediaries
The ETIAS regulation permits licensed commercial intermediaries — for example, travel agents — to submit applications on behalf of travelers. If you use a travel agent or similar service and they submit your ETIAS application as part of a broader booking arrangement, this may be legitimate. The indicators of a legitimate intermediary are: they submit through the official portal, any additional fee is clearly disclosed as a service charge rather than presented as the government fee, and the authorization issued is a genuine EU-issued ETIAS document.
When in doubt, apply directly through the official portal. The application is designed for self-completion and takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
About this page
This page provides general information only and is not immigration or legal advice.