“When will EES begin?” “Do I would like to use for ETIAS earlier than my subsequent journey?” “Will these new techniques break our European vacation?”
If these questions sound acquainted, you’re not alone. My inbox has been flooded with messages from apprehensive travellers making an attempt to make sense of the EU’s upcoming border adjustments and questioning what they should do.
Don’t worry- on this put up we’ll share precisely what it’s essential to know and accomplish that you’re ready the subsequent time you go to Europe.
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The European Union has been planning two main adjustments to how non-EU travellers (together with UK residents) enter Europe. These are:
- the ETIAS visa system and
- the EES border system
It’s necessary to understand that these are two completely totally different techniques, so though they’re usually talked about collectively, they’re NOT the identical factor. ETIAS is a web based software to enter the EU executed earlier than you journey, whereas EES is one thing executed AT the border.
Each techniques have been ‘coming in quickly’ for a number of years, however preserve being pushed again, making it difficult to know what’s really taking place and when.
Let me break down every thing it’s essential to find out about each techniques, together with the newest timeline updates, so you may plan your European adventures with confidence.
(Please observe, this video was filmed in early 2025. New updates are proven under, but it surely does clarify what EES and ETIAS are and the way they’ll work.) Don’t overlook to subscribe to our YouTube channel right here
What Is EES?
EES stands for the Entry/Exit System. This isn’t one thing you apply for prematurely. As an alternative, it’s a brand new methodology the EU will use to trace entries and exits utilizing biometric knowledge.
When will EES begin?
The European Union has introduced that the long-awaited implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) is scheduled for October 2025. Nonetheless, it’s anticipated that the system won’t be launched till November 2025 at Channel ports.
In March, the EU’s House Affairs Minister introduced that there could be a “progressive begin of operations,” whereby the 29 international locations of the Schengen Zone would regularly introduce the system over a interval of six months.
Key Info About EES:
- Replaces passport stamping: EES will exchange the present system of handbook stamping of passports
- Biometric knowledge required: You’ll present fingerprints and facial images on the border
- First-time registration: When EES is launched, you will want to create a digital file in your first go to to the Schengen space on the port or airport on arrival. This implies you’ll present your fingerprints and facial images.
- Legitimate for 3 years: As soon as registered, you received’t have to repeat the complete course of for 3 years (except you get a brand new passport)
- Tracks overstays: The system will routinely detect if somebody exceeds the 90-day restrict – you’ve been warned! Overstaying might cease you getting entry into the EU sooner or later
What to Count on on the Border
In your first journey into the EU after EES launches:
- You’ll go to a self-service kiosk or sales space
- Scan your passport
- Present fingerprints
- Have your photograph taken
- Reply fundamental questions on your go to
For those who enter the Schengen space once more throughout the next 3 years, you’ll solely want to supply a fingerprint or photograph on the border, if you enter and exit.
Anticipated Delays
Let’s face it, that is going to trigger CHAOS.
Whether or not you’re coming into the Schengen space by tunnel, boat or aircraft, each single particular person on that automobile might want to full these EES necessities. It’s anticipated to take about 1 minute per particular person, which implies one coach will take about an hour, and an plane of 300 folks may take a number of hours!
Particular Impression for Motorhomers: For automobile crossings, every automobile coming into the EU is anticipated to take 5–6 minutes longer for processing. Multiply that by a whole bunch of automobiles, and you’ll count on substantial delays, particularly throughout peak journey intervals and at busy crossing factors equivalent to Calais.
It must be famous that this isn’t an ‘anti-English’ scheme. The UK already has a system in place for non-residents who’re coming into the UK.
What Is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for the European Journey Data and Authorisation System. Consider it just like the ESTA system for travelling to the USA—it’s a journey authorisation you’ll want to use for on-line earlier than travelling into Europe/ the EU.
Can we simply, for the sake of expediency, settle for that I do know that the UK is on the continent of Europe, however not inside ‘Europe’ for the needs of this weblog put up? Thanks.
ETIAS will solely turn into operational after EES has been operating easily for no less than 6 months. On the time of writing, it’s anticipated to turn into operational within the final quarter of 2026, (though I actually wouldn’t maintain your breath till we see how EES does!)
Key Info About ETIAS:
- It’s not a visa: It’s a journey authorisation, just like what many different international locations already require
- Legitimate for 3 years: Your ETIAS journey authorisation is legitimate for 3 years or till the journey doc you utilized in your software expires – whichever comes first
- A number of entries allowed: You possibly can journey backwards and forwards throughout the validity interval
- Covers 30 international locations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
- Prices €7: Making use of for the ETIAS journey authorisation prices EUR 7 for travellers aged 18–70. Underneath 18s and over 70s are exempt from paying this payment
- 90-day rule nonetheless applies: With a sound ETIAS journey authorisation, you may keep within the European international locations requiring ETIAS for as much as 90 days inside any 180-day interval. For those who handle to get an extension to remain in a single nation for longer, it’s essential to guarantee your ETIAS authorisation matches this.
- Passport-linked: ETIAS is linked to your particular passport, so for those who renew your passport, you’ll want a brand new ETIAS
Who Must Apply for ETIAS?
UK passport holders travelling to EU international locations for:
- Tourism/ Street Journey adventures
- Enterprise conferences/conferences
- Medical remedy
- Transit
You received’t want ETIAS for:
- Journeys to the Republic of Eire from the UK (Eire will not be in Schengen, and we have now particular preparations between the UK & Eire)
- Working or finding out (you’ll want official visas for these)
- For those who maintain twin citizenship with an EU passport (you need to use your EU passport as an alternative)
How Will ETIAS Work?
ETIAS can be executed on-line. You possibly can fill out the applying kind utilizing both the official ETIAS web site europa.eu/etias or the ETIAS cellular software.
The applying will ask for:
- Private and passport particulars
- Journey plans (together with the primary EU nation you’ll enter)
- Background questions on felony historical past, well being situations, and immigration historical past
- Safety, well being, migration danger, and any previous overstays or offences
Most purposes are processed inside minutes. Nonetheless, it’s attainable that your software might take longer to course of. In that case, you’ll obtain a call inside 4 days. In some circumstances requiring further documentation or interviews, processing may take as much as 30 days.
Necessary: There can be a transitional interval of no less than six months when ETIAS launches, which means you need to apply however received’t be refused entry for those who don’t have one but (so long as you meet different entry necessities). This can be adopted by a 6-month grace interval the place travellers will need to have an ETIAS journey authorisation to enter, aside from these coming to Europe for the primary time because the finish of the transitional interval.
Making ready for the Adjustments- What it’s essential to do
Present Journeys: What You Must Do Now
For those who’re happening vacation into the EU/ Schengen Zone BEFORE October 2025, nothing adjustments. You don’t have to do something.
- Proceed travelling to Europe as you may have been since Brexit
- No ETIAS software wanted
- No biometric registration required
- Guarantee your passport is legitimate for no less than 6 months when travelling (you want 3 months clear from the date you permit
- Observe your days in Europe to remain throughout the 90/180 rule
- Maintain making use of for AHCs as typical (though take a look at the anticipated Pet Passport guidelines)
From October 2025: EES Anticipated to Launch
- The European Union will inform us concerning the particular begin date of the EES a number of months previous to its launch
- Be ready for longer border crossing instances
- You’ll not want to supply any data earlier than travelling to a Schengen space nation
- Contemplate permitting additional time for journey into the EU, or travelling throughout the evening/ early morning to get the preliminary arrange executed and out the way in which as painlessly as attainable.
This autumn 2026: ETIAS Anticipated to Launch
- ETIAS is anticipated to turn into operational within the final quarter of 2026
- You’ll want to use on-line earlier than travelling
- The European Union will inform us concerning the begin of ETIAS a number of months previous to its launch and when we have to begin making use of.
- Apply properly prematurely – don’t wait till the final minute, as processing may take as much as 30 days if further checks are wanted
- Use solely official web sites: There is just one official ETIAS web site: europa.eu/etias. Don’t use third-party providers which can cost extreme charges or steal your private knowledge
- Maintain your affirmation: You’ll want your ETIAS authorisation quantity
- Examine your passport validity: For those who renew your passport, you’ll want a brand new ETIAS
- Don’t consider every thing on Fb – examine official sources for correct data
For those who’d like to remain updated will all data, and get a FREE Europe journey guidelines, be a part of our electronic mail record under:
Necessary Limitations and Issues
I’ve seen a LOT of mistaken data being unfold concerning the EES and ETIAS schemes, so right here are some things to recollect:
The 90-Day Rule Stays
Neither ETIAS nor EES adjustments the face that UK travellers can solely spend 90 days in any 180-day interval within the Schengen space. These techniques will simply make it simpler for authorities to trace compliance.
Eire Is Totally different
Eire will not be a part of Schengen and has separate preparations with the UK. These new techniques received’t have an effect on UK-Eire journey and nothing will change to what we do now.
Working and Learning
Having the journey authorisation solely lets you enter and stay on the territory of the European international locations requiring ETIAS for a short-term keep. Additionally, it doesn’t provide the proper to review long-term or to work in these international locations.
No Assure of Entry
Having a sound ETIAS journey authorisation doesn’t routinely grant you the suitable to enter the territory of the European international locations requiring ETIAS. All travellers arriving on the border are nonetheless topic to frame checks.
Staying Up to date
Given the a number of delays these techniques have skilled, it’s necessary to get data from official sources:
Keep away from unofficial web sites which will cost extreme charges or accumulate your private knowledge inappropriately and DON’T belief every thing you want on Fb or Boards!
This data relies on official EU sources and present bulletins as of July 2025. All the time examine the official ETIAS and EES web sites for essentially the most up-to-date data earlier than travelling.
Backside Line
Sure, it’s annoying. Sure, it’s going to price a bit extra. Sure, queues could be worse for a time, however whereas these new techniques add some complexity to European journey, they’re not insurmountable hurdles. Many different international locations around the globe have already got related necessities. The bottom line is to remain knowledgeable concerning the timeline and be ready when the techniques launch.
For now, there’s no want to fret or change your present journey plans. Maintain exploring Europe- simply be prepared to regulate to the brand new processes when the time comes!
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