Germany's Business Travel Association Fights Stricter US Entry Rules for 2026
Germany's Business Travel Association (VDR) has called on the federal government to challenge stricter US entry rules for European travellers. The new measures, due to start in mid-2026, will demand more personal data—including social media details—from business visitors under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
For the past five years, EU business travellers entering the US under the VWP have needed an ESTA approval. This online process already collects passport details, travel plans, employment data, and questions on health, criminal records, and past visa refusals. Approvals last two years or until a passport expires, with tighter checks introduced after COVID-19, such as vaccination proof until May 2023 and enhanced biometric screening at airports.
The upcoming changes go further. From mid-2026, applicants must also provide social media profiles and additional biometric information. VDR President Christoph Carnier has criticised these demands as excessive, warning they could discourage business travel to the US.
Many companies argue the new rules clash with EU data protection laws. They refuse to force employees into sharing sensitive personal details, especially when private and professional activities overlap. While the VDR recognises US security concerns, it insists procedures should not block international mobility.
The VDR's intervention highlights growing tensions between US security policies and European privacy standards. If the rules proceed as planned, fewer business travellers may visit the US. Companies could also face legal risks by demanding employees disclose personal data under the new system.
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