adNov 17, 2025, 02:00

Claudia didn't know she applied for British travel document ETA on the wrong site: ‘I thought: wow, that’s a lot of money’

Dutch travelers are being misled by commercial websites charging up to 200 euros for a British Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which officially costs less than 19 euros. These third-party platforms offer expensive "stress-free" applications for the mandatory entry document required for travel to the United Kingdom since April.

Economy Lifestyle Netherlands World

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Long wait times at Schiphol due to electronic passport control failure

Schiphol Airport is facing significant passenger delays after a technical failure incapacitated its automated eGate passport control system on Sunday morning. Royal Netherlands Marechaussee officers are currently conducting manual checks as they investigate the cause of the malfunction, which is not believed to be a cyberattack.

ETIAS travel authorization not yet mandatory, but fake websites are already offering them

Authorities warn that over 150 fraudulent websites are currently offering fake ETIAS travel authorizations, despite the official system not yet being active. Travelers are advised that when the program launches in 2027, they should only use the designated official European Union website to avoid financial scams and data theft.

Garages face busy month: inspection due for 416,000 cars in November

Garages in the Netherlands are bracing for a busy November with over 416,000 car inspections due this month. With nearly 239,000 vehicles already operating with expired certifications, authorities are urging owners to check their status to avoid automatic fines from the RDW.

Brussels warns of uninsurable climate damage, EU law in the making

The European Commission is drafting new legislation to address the increasing economic and human costs of climate change, including clearer legal responsibilities and better insurance protocols. Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra highlighted the need for more climate-resilient construction and public risk-monitoring tools to combat damages that reached 113 billion euros during recent heatwaves.

Cabinet invests 450 million euros in rainforest protection fund

The Dutch government has pledged 450 million euros to the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a global initiative led by Brazil to protect rainforests through investment-based returns. The contribution aims to help reach the 10 billion dollar threshold necessary to trigger further funding from Norway, though the Netherlands is still working to finalize the details of its commitment.