From October, UK residents travelling to and from Europe will encounter adjustments at borders. The European Union is launching its much-delayed entry-exit system (EES). By April 2026 the method needs to be full, remodeling the border expertise in any respect crossing factors out and in of the Schengen space (comprising the EU besides Eire, plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland).
Travellers will undergo the formalities at airports, land borders and ports within the Schengen space on each arrival and departure.
The goals of the EES are:
- To determine suspected criminals.
- To fight id fraud.
- To police the restrict on stays of 90 days in any 180 days that applies to UK and different nationalities.
A yr after the entry-exit system roll-out begins, if all goes in line with plan the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) shall be launched.
That is the calendar for adjustments, in addition to recommendation on what to do.
12 October 2025
The EU’s much-delayed entry-exit system begins to be rolled out – however solely a small variety of UK travellers are more likely to be affected on day one.
Some British travellers to and from the Schengen space will undergo a biometric verify. On first encounter with the EES, they have to present 4 of their fingerprints (not required of youngsters underneath 12) and a facial biometric.
However on day one, most travellers will swerve the formalities for one in all two causes:
- The frontier crossing they use is just not but working the entry-exit system. Initially as few as 10 per cent of border posts shall be operating EES.
- The frontier crossing is EES-enabled however solely a modest proportion of travellers are chosen to have their biometric particulars registered; the purpose is to keep away from lengthy queues build up.
Regardless of some experiences, you’ll not be requested to offer proof of journey insurance coverage. Throughout and after the roll-out, border officers might ask you for proof of economic assets and proof that you’ll depart after a brief keep – simply as they will do now.
Upon getting registered, on subsequent encounters with the entry-exit system you have to just one biometric taken; that is virtually sure to be the face.
What to do: Be ready to offer biometrics and count on longer border queues on account of “double purple tape” – offering biometrics however having your passport stamped as nicely.
11 December 2025
The purpose is that in any respect frontier posts working the entry-exit system, each traveller has biometrics collected. However there’ll nonetheless be some that aren’t EES-enabled.
Passports proceed to be stamped manually.
January 2026
By now, “member states ought to function the entry-exit system – with biometric functionalities – at a minimal of half of their border crossing factors”. The implication is that the majority guests shall be EES checked.
9 April 2026
Roll-out of entry-exit system is full. Assuming that the EES is operating flawlessly throughout Europe, stamping of passports will lastly finish.
9 October 2026 (estimated date)
The European Journey Info and Authorisation System (Etias) shall be launched, however won’t be obligatory. This on-line allow, value €20 (£17), is much like the US Esta scheme, however legitimate for longer: three years. Whereas these underneath 18 or over 70 will nonetheless want to use for and maintain an Etias, will probably be free.
Initially a six-month grace interval shall be granted.
What to do: Get an Etias if you’ll the Schengen space. Although you gained’t legally want one, due to the grace interval you won’t be allowed in your airplane.
9 April 2027 (estimated date)
It should obligatory for potential UK guests to have an Etias.
