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Upcoming changes
for travel to Europe

The European Union is introducing two important changes for travel to the EU's Schengen area and Cyprus:

  • EU Entry/Exit System (EES) - launch date yet to be confirmed.
  • European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) - due to launch mid-2025.*

If you are planning to travel to Europe later this year or next year, we’ve provided some guidance below on what you need to know about the upcoming changes.

 

*Ideally, as with all countries requiring a visa to enter, you would apply for this before confirming your holiday arrangements for Europe if travelling from May 2025 – however this system is still to be launched so it is important that you continue to check for updates on the UK FCDO website.

EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES)

What is the EU Entry/Exit Scheme?

The EU Entry/Exit Scheme is a new electronic border system that will replace 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.

The launch date has been delayed and no definite launch date has been confirmed. However, once the new system is live, when you go through passport control, as well as providing your passport you will also need to have a photo of your face taken, and your fingerprints scanned. 

 

Who will it apply to?

It will apply to those travelling for a short stay, from what the EU call a ‘third country’ - this is defined as people who are not an EU citizen or a citizen of the Schengen area. Therefore 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.

Please refer to EES - European Union (europa.eu) for more information about these changes and how they may impact your travel to the EU.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

What is 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. It is a similar concept to the USA’s ESTA and the UK’s ETA scheme.

It is due to be introduced in mid-2025, but there is not yet an exact date as to when it will come into force. This means you do not need to have an ETIAS for travel to Europe at the moment. 

As the system is not live, the website itself is not live nor 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 in 2025, 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 do not 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.

How much will an ETIAS cost?

ETIAS will cost €7 (equivalent to around £6). 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 do you apply?

There is one official website to apply for an ETIAS which is: www.europa.eu/etias.

However, as ETIAS is not currently operational, applications via the website are not yet live. This is purely an advance notice to advise that this new process will come into force from May 2025. 

Please contact your travel agent or Carrier if you have any specific questions and we will be on hand to assist you.

For further queries, do take a look at the these additional frequently asked questions: FAQs on ETIAS - European Union (europa.eu).