New Entry/Exit System (EES) and visa waiver (ETIAS) for travellers in Europe

Entry/Exit System (EES)

UPDATE: On 10 October 2024 it was announced that introduction of the EES is to be delayed yet again, and will not come into force on the planned date of 10 November 2024. We will update this page with any further news as soon as it is available.

A new digital system for recording entry and exit by non-EU citizens is being developed by the European Union. This will replace the manual addition of passport stamps.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will apply to anyone entering an EU or Schengen country who is not an EU or Schengen citizen/permanent resident, or who does not have a valid visa. The On Foot Holidays routes to which this currently applies are in Czechia (aka Czech Republic), France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

On the first entry to these countries after implementation of the scheme, biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) will be collected at border control, plus registration of ‘travel document data’ and the time and place of entry. It is not currently possible to register in advance of travelling. It is also likely that more information will be required than currently when booking airline tickets into the relevant countries.

This is expected to cause delays at ports and airports. If travelling from the UK by train from London St Pancras or Folkestone, or by ferry from Dover, registration will happen at border control in the UK before boarding.

Please see https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en for details, and check carefully whether EES will apply to you. You may need to allow extra time for passing through border controls on your first visit after the scheme is implemented.

ETIAS visa waiver

A separate visa waiver system called ETIAS (similar to the USA’s ESTA system) will follow in 2025, on a date yet to be announced. This will be valid for three years (or to the end of your passport’s validity if less than three years), and a fee of 7 Euros will apply. It will need to be secured in advance of travelling via the ETIAS website or mobile app. It will apply to entry to the same countries as listed above for EES.

It is not yet possible to apply for an ETIAS, but see https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en for more details and to check whether you will need an ETIAS to travel.

Updated 11 October 2024

One of the joys of a self-guided walking holiday is that you’ll be walking with your specially selected group of family and friends. No strangers and no guides – just plenty of time to hike with your companions at your own pace and immerse yourself in the beautiful landscapes, culture and cuisine.

On some of the more popular routes you may meet other On Foot walkers on a similar itinerary, and we hope you’ll strike up some new friendships, though we’ll never assume that you want to walk or eat together.

As many of the hotels and B&Bs we use are small family-run establishments, and often the only option in a village, the size of group we can accommodate is often dictated by the capacity of the smallest hotel on the route. See the ‘Prices’ tab on the route pages of our website for the maximum party size for each route.

If you’re planning to walk with a larger group, do please book early to increase your options, and be prepared to share rooms. And remember there is usually a discount for groups of three or more – so long as the walkers are all on one booking, booked at the same time on an identical itinerary.

Solo walkers are, of course, very welcome on most of our routes – we’re happy to give advice on walking alone or search all our holidays here. And if you’re a couple looking for something a bit more romantic to celebrate an anniversary or even somewhere to spend your honeymoon, we can suggest some special places.

Whatever the size of your holiday party, we’ll do our best to find the perfect route to suit everyone – leaving you to just enjoy the hike and make magical memories.

At the height of summer it’s great to see the wonderful landscapes bathed in sunshine, but it is important to know how to stay safe and well and still enjoy your holiday in very hot weather.

• Check the weather forecast every day, and take note of the hours when the highest temperatures are expected (which may not be the middle of the day). We find that accuweather is usually very reliable.
• Always carry as much water as you can manage. Don’t be afraid to ask at shops or houses for a top-up if necessary.
• Wear loose, light clothing, with a wide sun hat and sun glasses.
• Keep re-applying sunscreen.
• Take full advantage of any patches of shade.
• Be aware of your capabilities – you will probably walk more slowly in hot weather. Make use of shortening options if a long day of walking is going to be too much.
• Keep in touch with your Local Contact, who can suggest short cuts and alternative routes, or help get you to your next hotel if you want to take a rest day. In extreme cases there may be local restrictions for safety reasons, in which case we can help you re-arrange your walking and accommodation if necessary.
• If your hotel doesn’t have air-conditioning, ask if they have a fan you can use in your room, and keep curtains/blinds/shutters closed against direct sunlight.
• Start walking as early as possible in the day to avoid the highest heat. Ask your host the evening before whether you can have an early breakfast or a snack you can take with you. If this isn’t possible, consider starting out early anyway and getting something to eat along the way. Avoid caffeinated drinks, which will pass through your body more quickly than water!
• If you’ve set out early, take note of the check-in time at your next hotel, and maybe have a break somewhere cool and shady in the hottest part of the day.
• Hot weather can result in sudden thunderstorms – be aware in exposed areas and carry a light raincoat.
• Be especially careful of fire risk – don’t discard any litter or light any flames, and immediately report any fires to the emergency services.
• And if you’re feeling unwell, it may be sun stroke or heat exhaustion – seek help from your Local Contact. There’s more advice here.