US sets December 2026 deadline for EU data deal or visa-free travel ends
The United States government is demanding unprecedented access to the private biometric and police databases of European citizens as a condition for maintaining visa-free travel. According to the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expects operational agreements under the Enhanced Border Security Partnership (EBSP) to be in place by December 31, 2026.
If EU member states fail to comply with these new security requirements by the deadline, their citizens may no longer be eligible for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Instead, travelers from these countries would be required to apply for a formal B1/B2 visitor visa, a process that involves higher costs and mandatory in-person interviews at US embassies.
