Travelling in Europe

If you’re planning — or have already booked — a holiday to Europe, you may have heard about new border control systems being introduced across the EU.

The gradual rollout of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began in October 2025, and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch towards the end of 2026.

It’s completely natural to have questions about what these changes mean and whether they’ll affect your future holidays. In this guide, we explain what’s changing, when it’s happening, and what you may need to do before you travel.

EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

What is the EES?

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new electronic border system being introduced by the European Union to improve security and modernise border checks. It removes the need for passports to be stamped by travellers as they pass through border control, either when entering or exiting an EU/Schengen area country.

Instead of a physical stamp, your entry and exit will be recorded digitally. When passing through border control, your passport will still be checked as normal, but you will also have a facial photograph taken and, if you are aged 12 or over, your fingerprints scanned.

The system will digitally record when you enter and exit participating EU and Schengen countries.

Who does the EES apply to?

The EES applies to travellers who are:

• Visiting an EU/Schengen country
• Staying for up to 90 days within a 180-day period (short stays for holidays or business)
• Travelling from a “third country” (non-EU/Schengen citizens)

For example, if you are a UK passport holder travelling to Spain for a two-week holiday, the EES will apply to you.

Additionally, the EES applies to individuals of all ages. However, children under the age of 12 will not have their fingerprints scanned, but a photo of their face will still be taken.

Furthermore, Irish passport holders and those who have an EU residency are exempt from the EES. 

When Does the EES Come into Force?

The EU has already started rolling this new system out, and has been since October 2025. However, the EES is being introduced in phases and is not due to be fully rolled out until 10^th April 2026. The phases are planned as follows:

• 12 October 2025 – EES introduced at at least one border crossing point per country (expanding to 10% within 60 days).
• December 2025 – Biometric collection (facial scans and/or fingerprints) begins in operating locations.
• January 2026 – Around 50% of border points are operating EES; approximately one third of travellers are processed under the system.
• March 2026 – All borders operating EES; around half of travellers processed through it.
• 10 April 2026 – Full implementation for all applicable travellers.

Depending on where you are travelling to, you may have a different experience when passing through border control.

There have been reports that the EES will not be fully operational until September 2026; however, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), these reports are false.

Which countries will be using the EES?

The following countries will all be implementing the EES:

Whilst members of the EU, people travelling to Cyprus and Ireland will still have their passports stamped manually.

What does this mean for passport control?

Potential Delays

Passport control will likely take longer for those arriving or departing a participating EES country. As such, if you are heading through passport control to start your holiday, make sure you account for any potential delays. 

Likewise, if you are heading home and departing a participating EES country, make sure you head straight to passport control and get your EES checks completed as soon as you have cleared check-in and security. The last thing you want is to risk missing your flight due to unexpected delays.

Border Control Questions

Since the UK left the EU, UK travellers may already be familiar with additional questions at passport control. However, with the rollout of the EES, it is likely that you will be asked these electronically. 

Typical questions could include things like:

• Where are you staying?
• How long are you staying for?
• What is your reason for travelling?

Make sure you have your travel documents to hand, to help you answer any questions that might be asked. 

How will EES impact ferry and Eurostar journeys?

Usually, the EES check will take place as you arrive and depart your destination. However, depending on where you are travelling from, the EES check may occur in the UK. 

For instance, if you are travelling via the Port of Dover, or from London St Pancras via an international train like Eurostar, you’ll complete French border controls before departure due to dual border arrangements. This means your EES registration will take place in the UK before you board.

Will EES Checks be Required for Cruises?

Depending on where your cruise starts and ends, will dictate whether you need to complete the EES checks. 

For instance, if your cruise starts and ends at a UK port, you will not be required to complete the EES checks. Additionally, you will not be required to complete any entry or exit checks for any day trips that are part of your cruise itinerary.

However, if you are flying to an EES participating country to join your cruise, you will be required to complete the EES registration when you land. Furthermore, if your cruise starts in the UK but ends in a participating EES country, you will be required to complete the EES checks when you exit the country.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is very similar to the USA’s ESTA or the UK’s ETA scheme - it is the EU’s new travel authorisation which travellers will need to apply for, before heading to a country within the EU. 

When Does the ETIAS Come into Force?

At the moment, the EU are planning to roll out ETIAS towards the end of 2026. As such, you will not need to worry about applying for one in time for this year’s summer holidays.

 Who Does ETIAS Apply to?

The new ETIAS will apply to those who are:

• Visiting an EU/Schengen country
• Staying for up to 90 days within 180 days (short stays for holidays or business)
• Travelling from a “third country” (non-EU/Schengen citizens)

If you have a visa or are travelling on an Irish passport, you are exempt from needing to apply for an ETIAS. Additionally, if you have a British passport but also have EU residency, then you will not need to apply for one either.

Which Countries will be using ETIAS?

When ETIAS comes into force at the end of 2026, travellers who require an ETIAS will need to apply if they are visiting the following countries:

How Can I Apply for an ETIAS?

At present, there is an official website that travellers should use when applying for their ETIAS. However, as ETIAS is not yet in place, the site is not yet operational for applications. You can visit the site at:  https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias.

When you come to apply for an ETIAS, you will need to apply for one for each traveller in your party. For instance, if you are travelling with your significant other, both of you will need to apply. Or, if you are a parent taking your children away, each child will also need one.

Will I Need to Pay for an ETIAS?

Yes. As with other schemes like the USA’s ESTA and the UK’s ETA, there will be a fee for each application, which is expected to be €20. However, the ETIAS will be free for those under the age of 18 or aged 71 and over. Additionally, some people may be exempt from paying the fee.

You can learn more about who is exempt here.

How long will my ETIAS be valid for?

Each ETIAS will last for three years. With it in place, you will be able to travel on multiple trips throughout the EU, using

However, should your passport expire during the ETIAS validity period, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS. This is because the ETIAS will be tied to your passport – meaning, if your passport details change, your ETIAS will no longer be valid.

Additionally, should your ETIAS expire during your stay, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS before heading away on holiday.

When Should I Apply for my ETIAS?

When ETIAS comes into force towards the end of 2026, the EU have advised that most applications should be processed within a few minutes. However, they do note that it could take up to 30 days for an application to be completed.

What Information Will I Need to Give During the Application?

As per the EU’s site, you will need to provide the following information when applying for an ETIAS:

• Personal information, including:
• • Your full name.
  • Date and place of birth.
  • Nationality.
  • Home address.
  • Parents names.
  • Email address.
  • Phone number.
• Passport details
• Details about employment and education.
• Details about the reason for travel (business/holiday).
• Details about:
• • Any criminal convictions.
  • Any past travel to war or conflict zones.
  • Any decisions requiring you to leave the territory of any country.

When applying in the future, make sure the details you include in your application match those on your passport. For instance, if you have recently married, but haven’t updated your passport to your married name.

Will the EES and ETIAS Impact my Travel Insurance?

The EES should not impact your travel insurance. However, once ETIAS is introduced, it will effectively become a mandatory travel requirement — like a visa.

Most travel insurance policies do not provide cover if you fail to obtain the correct travel documentation before departure. This means that travelling without a valid ETIAS (once required) could invalidate your policy.

As the implementation date approaches, insurers are likely to update their policy wording to reflect ETIAS requirements. We recommend always checking your policy documentation and ensuring all required travel authorisations are in place before departure.

While the introduction of EES and ETIAS represents a change in how UK travellers enter Europe, most holidays will continue much as they always have — with a little extra preparation.

The key is simply to plan: allow extra time at the border during the rollout period, apply for your ETIAS once it becomes mandatory, and ensure all your travel documents are valid before departure.

Don’t forget to make sure you’ve arranged suitable travel insurance for Europe, allowing you to focus on what really matters — enjoying your trip with confidence and peace of mind.