“When will EES begin?” “Do I want to use for ETIAS earlier than my subsequent journey?” “Will these new techniques spoil our European vacation?”
If these questions sound acquainted, you’re not alone. My inbox has been flooded with messages from fearful travellers attempting to make sense of the EU’s upcoming border adjustments and questioning what they should do.
Don’t worry- on this submit we’ll share precisely what you might want to know and achieve this you’re ready the following 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 essential 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 an internet software to enter the EU carried out earlier than you journey, whereas EES is one thing carried out 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 truly occurring and when.
Let me break down every thing you might want to learn about each techniques, together with the most recent timeline updates, so you may plan your European adventures with confidence.
(Please be aware, this video was filmed in early 2025. New updates are proven beneath, nevertheless it does clarify what EES and ETIAS are and the way they may 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 a substitute, it’s a brand new methodology the EU will use to trace entries and exits utilizing biometric information.
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. Nevertheless, it’s anticipated that the system won’t be launched till November 2025 at Channel ports.
In March, the EU’s Residence Affairs Minister introduced that there can be a “progressive begin of operations,” whereby the 29 international locations of the Schengen Zone would step by step introduce the system over a interval of six months.
Key Details About EES:
- Replaces passport stamping: EES will change the present system of handbook stamping of passports
- Biometric information required: You’ll present fingerprints and facial images on the border
- First-time registration: When EES is launched, you’ll need to create a digital document 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 gained’t must repeat the total course of for 3 years (until 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 picture taken
- Reply primary questions on your go to
When you enter the Schengen space once more throughout the next 3 years, you’ll solely want to offer a fingerprint or picture 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 getting into the Schengen space by tunnel, boat or aircraft, each single particular person on that car might want to full these EES necessities. It’s anticipated to take about 1 minute per particular person, which suggests one coach will take about an hour, and an plane of 300 folks might take a number of hours!
Particular Impression for Motorhomers: For car crossings, every automotive getting into the EU is predicted to take 5–6 minutes longer for processing. Multiply that by a whole bunch of automobiles, and you may count on substantial delays, particularly throughout peak journey durations and at busy crossing factors resembling Calais.
It ought to be famous that this isn’t an ‘anti-English’ scheme. The UK already has a system in place for non-residents who’re getting 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 US—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 submit? Thanks.
ETIAS will solely turn out to be operational after EES has been operating easily for a minimum of 6 months. On the time of writing, it’s anticipated to turn out to be operational within the final quarter of 2026, (though I actually wouldn’t maintain your breath till we see how EES does!)
Key Details 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’ll be able to journey forwards and backwards through 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. Beneath 18s and over 70s are exempt from paying this payment
- 90-day rule nonetheless applies: With a legitimate ETIAS journey authorisation, you may keep within the European international locations requiring ETIAS for as much as 90 days inside any 180-day interval. When you handle to get an extension to remain in a single nation for longer, you might want 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/ Highway Journey adventures
- Enterprise conferences/conferences
- Medical therapy
- Transit
You gained’t want ETIAS for:
- Journeys to the Republic of Eire from the UK (Eire will not be in Schengen, and we now have particular preparations between the UK & Eire)
- Working or finding out (you’ll want official visas for these)
- When you maintain twin citizenship with an EU passport (you need to use your EU passport as a substitute)
How Will ETIAS Work?
ETIAS will probably be carried out on-line. You’ll be able to fill out the appliance type utilizing both the official ETIAS web site europa.eu/etias or the ETIAS cell software.
The appliance will ask for:
- Private and passport particulars
- Journey plans (together with the primary EU nation you’ll enter)
- Background questions on legal 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. Nevertheless, it’s doable that your software might take longer to course of. If that’s the case, you’ll obtain a choice inside 4 days. In some instances requiring further documentation or interviews, processing might take as much as 30 days.
Necessary: There will probably be a transitional interval of a minimum of six months when ETIAS launches, which means it is best to apply however gained’t be refused entry for those who don’t have one but (so long as you meet different entry necessities). This will probably 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 for the reason that finish of the transitional interval.
Making ready for the Modifications- What you might want to do
Present Journeys: What You Have to Do Now
When you’re happening vacation into the EU/ Schengen Zone BEFORE October 2025, nothing adjustments. You don’t must do something.
- Proceed travelling to Europe as you might have been since Brexit
- No ETIAS software wanted
- No biometric registration required
- Guarantee your passport is legitimate for a minimum of 6 months when travelling (you want 3 months clear from the date you allow
- Observe your days in Europe to remain inside the 90/180 rule
- Preserve making use of for AHCs as regular (though try 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 occasions
- You’ll not want to offer any data earlier than travelling to a Schengen space nation
- Think about permitting additional time for journey into the EU, or travelling through the evening/ early morning to get the preliminary arrange carried out and out the best way as painlessly as doable.
This fall 2026: ETIAS Anticipated to Launch
- ETIAS is predicted to turn out to be 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 effectively prematurely – don’t wait till the final minute, as processing might 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 information
- Preserve your affirmation: You’ll want your ETIAS authorisation quantity
- Examine your passport validity: When you renew your passport, you’ll want a brand new ETIAS
- Don’t consider every thing on Fb – test official sources for correct data
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Necessary Limitations and Issues
I’ve seen a LOT of incorrect 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 gained’t have an effect on UK-Eire journey and nothing will change to what we do now.
Working and Finding out
Having the journey authorisation solely permits you to 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 check long-term or to work in these international locations.
No Assure of Entry
Having a legitimate ETIAS journey authorisation doesn’t routinely grant you the correct 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 essential to get data from official sources:
Keep away from unofficial web sites which will cost extreme charges or gather your private information inappropriately and DON’T belief every thing you want on Fb or Boards!
This data is predicated on official EU sources and present bulletins as of July 2025. At all times test the official ETIAS and EES web sites for probably the most up-to-date data earlier than travelling.
Backside Line
Sure, it’s annoying. Sure, it’s going to price slightly 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 world wide have already got related necessities. The secret’s 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. Preserve exploring Europe- simply be prepared to regulate to the brand new processes when the time comes!
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