Road Trip

When Will EES & ETIAS Begin (& What do You Must Do?)

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July 3, 2025

“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 nervous 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 submit we’ll share precisely what you must know and accomplish that 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 completely 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 accomplished earlier than you journey, whereas EES is one thing accomplished AT the border.

Each techniques have been ‘coming in quickly’ for a number of years, however maintain being pushed again, making it difficult to know what’s really taking place and when.

Let me break down every little thing you must find out about each techniques, together with the newest timeline updates, so you possibly can plan your European adventures with confidence.

(Please observe, this video was filmed in early 2025. New updates are proven beneath, but it surely 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 upfront. As an alternative, 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 is not going to be launched till November 2025 at Channel ports.

In March, the EU’s Dwelling 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 Info About EES:

Replaces passport stamping: EES will exchange the present system of guide 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 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 must 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 Anticipate 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

When you enter the Schengen space once more throughout the next 3 years, you’ll solely want to supply a fingerprint or photograph on the border, whenever 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 individual on that automobile might want to full these EES necessities. It’s anticipated to take about 1 minute per individual, which implies one coach will take about an hour, and an plane of 300 individuals might take a number of hours!

Particular Impression for Motorhomers: For automobile crossings, every automobile getting into the EU is anticipated 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 reminiscent of 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 change into operational after EES has been working easily for at the very least 6 months. On the time of writing, it’s anticipated to change 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’ll be able to journey forwards and backwards 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 price
90-day rule nonetheless applies: With a sound ETIAS journey authorisation, you possibly can 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 must guarantee your ETIAS authorisation matches this.
Passport-linked: ETIAS is linked to your particular passport, so should you 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 therapy
Transit

You received’t want ETIAS for:

Journeys to the Republic of Eire from the UK (Eire just isn’t in Schengen, and we have now 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 might be accomplished on-line. You’ll be able to fill out the appliance kind utilizing both the official ETIAS web site europa.eu/etias or the ETIAS cellular software.

The appliance 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 circumstances, and immigration historical past
Safety, well being, migration danger, and any previous overstays or offences

Most functions are processed inside minutes. Nevertheless, it’s attainable that your software might take longer to course of. If that’s the case, you’ll obtain a call inside 4 days. In some instances requiring extra documentation or interviews, processing might take as much as 30 days.

Necessary: There might be a transitional interval of at the very least six months when ETIAS launches, that means it is best to apply however received’t be refused entry should you don’t have one but (so long as you meet different entry necessities). This might be adopted by a 6-month grace interval the place travellers should have an ETIAS journey authorisation to enter, aside from these coming to Europe for the primary time because the finish of the transitional interval.

Getting ready for the Adjustments- What you must do

Present Journeys: What You Must Do Now

When you’re occurring 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 at the very least 6 months when travelling (you want 3 months clear from the date you allow
Monitor your days in Europe to remain inside the 90/180 rule
Preserve making use of for AHCs as typical (though try the anticipated Pet Passport guidelines)

From October 2025: EES Anticipated to Launch

The European Union will inform us in regards to 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 info earlier than travelling to a Schengen space nation
Take into account permitting additional time for journey into the EU, or travelling throughout the night time/ early morning to get the preliminary arrange accomplished and out the best way as painlessly as attainable.

This autumn 2026: ETIAS Anticipated to Launch

ETIAS is anticipated to change into operational within the final quarter of 2026
You’ll want to use on-line earlier than travelling
The European Union will inform us in regards to the begin of ETIAS a number of months previous to its launch and when we have to begin making use of.
Apply effectively upfront – don’t wait till the final minute, as processing might take as much as 30 days if extra 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
Test your passport validity: When you renew your passport, you’ll want a brand new ETIAS
Don’t imagine every little thing on Fb – verify official sources for correct info

When you’d like to remain updated will all information, and get a FREE Europe journey guidelines, be a part of our electronic mail record beneath:

Necessary Limitations and Issues

I’ve seen a LOT of flawed info being unfold in regards to 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 Completely different

Eire just isn’t 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 Finding out

Having the journey authorisation solely means that you can 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 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 info from official sources:

Keep away from unofficial web sites that will cost extreme charges or gather your private information inappropriately and DON’T belief every little thing you want on Fb or Boards!

This info relies on official EU sources and present bulletins as of July 2025. At all times verify the official ETIAS and EES web sites for probably the most up-to-date info earlier than travelling.

Backside Line

Sure, it’s annoying. Sure, it’s going to price a little bit extra. Sure, queues is perhaps 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 hot button is to remain knowledgeable in regards to 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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