Upcoming changes for travel to Europe

Updated 26 November 2025

The European Union is introducing two important changes for travel to Europe. These are:

• EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
• European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

EES started on 12 October 2025. It will be introduced in phases, building towards being fully operational by 10 April 2026.

You won't need an ETIAS for travel this year. The EU is looking to introduce ETIAS towards the end of 2026.

EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES)

The EU Entry/Exit system is a new electronic system that replaces the physical stamping of passports when you go through passport control when arriving in and departing from your destination. It will register all entries and exits to and from the participating European countries, which basically means it will register your movements every time you cross a border in or out of the EU/Schengen area.

When you go through passport control on your arrival to, and departure from your destination, as well as providing your passport you will also need to have a photo of your face taken, and your fingerprints scanned. 

When does it apply?

EES started on 12 October 2025; however, it will be introduced in phases, building towards being fully operational by 10 April 2026.

Who does it apply to?

It applies to those travelling for a short stay, from what the EU call a ‘third country’.  This is people who are not EU citizens or citizens of the Schengen area. So it will apply to most people travelling from the UK.

A short stay refers to visits, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period. The vast majority of travel between the UK and Europe will be classed as a short stay. 

Irish passport holders are exempt from EES. If you are a British passport holder but have EU residency, you are also exempt from EES.

People of all ages will need to go through the EES checks, however children under 12 will not need to provide fingerprints but they will need to have a facial scan taken.

Which countries will it apply to?

When EES comes in, these are the countries that will be using it: 

In Cyprus and Ireland, despite being countries of the European Union, passports are still stamped manually.

How is it being phased in?

EES will be introduced in phases from 12 October, meaning your experience will vary depending on where you are travelling to. This is a summary of the phases:

• 12 October launch: At least one border point in each country should operate the new system, increasing to 10% of border points after the first 60 days.
• December 2025: Borders operating EES start to take biometric checks (facial scan and/or fingerprints).
• January 2026: Half of border points should be operating EES, with at least a third of passengers going through the system.
• March 2026: All borders are operating EES and taking biometrics, processing at least half of passengers through the system.  
• 10 April 2026: System fully live, with all borders processing all passengers through EES, and taking biometrics.

Questions you may be asked at the border

As part of the border process when travelling to Europe, you may be asked questions that relate to the Schengen Border Code – such as where you are staying. This is not new – it has been applicable to UK citizens since the UK left the EU.

The questions are currently asked at the border, by a border guard, although they do tend to be done on an ad hoc basis.

The introduction of EES means countries now have the option to ask these questions electronically, which means is it more likely you will be asked these questions. We recommend you have all of your travel documentation and information to hand, such as the address of where you are staying. 

Travelling via the Port of Dover or international train (London St Pancras and Folkestone)

In most cases, the EES checks will take place in Europe – when you arrive at your destination airport or port, and when you leave at the end of your trip.

However, if you are departing via the Port of Dover or via international train from the UK (London St Pancras and Folkestone), then these checks will happen when going through the passport control in the UK, on your departure. 

This is because there is a dual border – both British and French borders – at these locations. 

However, you won’t need to do these checks again when you arrive on the other side.

Travelling on a cruise

If you are travelling on a cruise and stopping at any of the European countries involved in EES, whether you need to go through the EES system will depend on where your cruise starts and where the itinerary ends.  

If the cruise departure is from a UK port and returns to a UK port, you will not need to complete the EES registration.

Passengers travelling on a cruise will not need to do EES entry or exit checks for EU-day trips that are part of their itinerary.

If you are flying to a European country to join a cruise, you will complete the EES entry process at the airport where you first arrive in the Schengen Area. If your cruise ends in an EU country, your exit will be recorded at the border control of the airport or port from which you leave the Schengen Area to return home.

School travel

EES will change how travellers enter and leave EU countries. Because EES records each person’s entry and exit electronically, every traveller will now need their own passport, meaning the ‘one person, one document’ rule will apply at most airports and ports. Previously, school groups could travel using a Collective Passport, but under EES, each child will need an individual travel document.

Before travelling, schools should ensure that every pupil has their own valid passport and that group travel details are clearly organised. When arriving in Europe, children may be asked simple questions, for example, where they are staying or how long they’ll be there. These are standard border questions that have always applied to UK travellers, but with EES, some checks may now be carried out electronically rather than by a border guard.

To make the process as smooth as possible, make sure everyone has their travel documents and accommodation details handy, and let pupils know that they may be asked a few questions at the border kiosks.

For school groups travelling by coach through the Port of Dover, a pilot scheme is currently underway to test group processing with selected ferry operators. The initiative allows participating schools to submit passenger information in advance, helping to reduce waiting times at French border control. Key features of the trial include submitting passenger details 72 hours before departure and providing evidence of the school’s educational status. Further information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dover-to-calais-school-trips

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) 

ETIAS is the EU’s new travel authorisation which you will need to apply for ahead of your travels to the 30 European countries listed below once the system is introduced. It is a similar concept to the USA’s ESTA and the UK’s ETA scheme.

You won't need an ETIAS for travel this year. The EU is looking to introduce ETIAS towards the end of 2026.

When implemented, travellers will be able to apply for an ETIAS by the official website – https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias

As the system is not live, the website itself is not live or taking applications, so you cannot yet get an official ETIAS. Any websites claiming to offer this are false.

Who will it apply to?

When the system is up and running, visa-exempt travellers from third countries will need to apply for an ETIAS. Put simply, if you are travelling to the EU for a short stay and are not a citizen of an EU or Schengen country, then you will need an ETIAS.  If you are travelling on a non-UK passport you will need to check if you require an ETIAS or a visa to go to Europe. 

A short stay refers to visits, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period. 

If you are travelling on a visa, you don’t need an ETIAS. 

Irish passport holders are exempt from ETIAS. If you are a British passport holder but have EU residency you also don’t need an ETIAS.

Which countries will it apply to?

These are the countries that travellers will need an ETIAS to enter, once ETIAS comes in:

How much will an ETIAS cost?

ETIAS will cost €20. ETIAS is free for those under the age of 18 and aged 71 and over. Once ETIAS is live, certain travellers may be exempt. You can find the list of exemptions here.

How long will it be valid for?

ETIAS lasts for three years. You will be able to travel on multiple trips during this period using the same ETIAS.

However, if your passport expires during the ETIAS validity period, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS. 

It will also not be valid if it expires during your stay, in these cases you would need to apply for a new ETIAS in advance of your travels, to cover the duration of your stay. 

How to apply

There is one official website to apply for an ETIAS which is – https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. However, as ETIAS is not currently operational, applications via the website are not yet live.

You will need to do one application for each traveller, so if you are a parent applying for a child, they would need a separate application to your own.

You do have the option for someone to make an application on your behalf. If you want to do that, you will need to submit a form to show you give permission. More information will be available here – Applying on behalf of others - European Union (europa.eu)

What information do I need to provide?

For each application you will need to provide:

• Personal information including name(s), date and place of birth, sex, nationality, home address, email address and phone number(s);
  Parents’ first name(s);
• Passport/travel document details;
• Level of education and current occupation;
• Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS;
• Details about any past criminal convictions, past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been the subject of an extradition.

You should make sure that the details on your ETIAS match that of your passport, if they don’t your ETIAS will not be valid and you will not be able to travel. If you are applying on behalf of someone else, then there may be additional information you need to provide. 

Fake websites offering ETIAS

There are currently more than 60 unofficial websites offering ETIAS, despite the system not yet being live. Don’t use an unofficial website: there’s the risk that you will be overcharged, that you won’t get an ETIAS and that your personal information could be stolen. 

More information on ETIAS can be found here – ETIAS – European Union (europa.eu)