New entry and visa waiver systems for travellers to Europe and the UK

Entry/Exit System (EES) for visitors to EU/Schengen countries

UPDATE: Since full implementation of EES on 10 April 2026, delays have been reported at some passport controls – please allow extra time. 

A new digital system for recording entry and exit has been developed by the European Union, to replace the manual use of passport stamps.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) applies to anyone entering a Schengen country who is not a citizen/resident of an EU country or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, or who does not have a valid visa.

Schengen countries are those European countries that have opted into the Schengen system of free movement across their borders. The On Foot Holidays routes to which this currently applies are in Czechia (Czech Republic), France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

On the first entry to one of these countries after implementation of the scheme, biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph) will be collected at border control. This registration is free, and will need to be renewed every three years and whenever your passport is renewed. It is not possible to register in advance of travelling (an app for pre-registration is not yet fully available). Registration may take place on exiting the Schengen region.

It is possible that this will cause delays at peak times at ports and airports, so you should allow extra time for passing through border controls on your first visit after implementation of the scheme. Member countries can suspend the system at peak times, but this cannot be relied upon. If travelling from the UK by train from London St Pancras (Eurostar) or Folkestone (Eurotunnel), or by ferry from Dover, registration will happen at border control in the UK before boarding.

Once registration has been completed, all subsequent visits use the biometrics to verify identity, and will digitally record the time and place of entry. Other questions may be asked on entry, such as length of stay and plans for onward travel. It is also likely that more information will be required when booking airline/train/ferry tickets into the relevant countries.

Please see https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en for details of implementation of the new system in your destination country, and check carefully whether EES will apply to you.

UK citizens will find further advice here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system

ETIAS visa waiver for visitors to EU/Schengen countries

A separate visa waiver system called ETIAS (similar to the USA’s ESTA system) will follow on a date yet to be announced, now likely to be during 2027. 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 €20 will apply (previously advertised as €7). 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.

Beware of fraudulent websites offering ETIAS for a fee – use only the official site after the system has been implemented.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visitors to the UK

For non-UK clients only:  Travellers to the UK who are not British citizens or do not have the right to live in the UK will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. Please follow this link to the UK government website for more information and how to apply.  For those that have dual British nationality, please note that you can only enter the UK with a valid British passport. You cannot get an ETA if you are a British or Irish dual citizen.

There is a helpful video showing how to apply here.

Updated 12 August 2026 – information given is correct to the best of our knowledge at this date, and may have changed recently. Please check your own circumstances carefully, especially while the EES system comes into operation during 2026.

As the late summer turns to autumn, the light softens, temperatures ease, and then the trees start to turn to vibrant orange and russet brown – making September, October and November perfect months for hiking quiet trails. Here are a few suggestions for enjoying Europe at its most beautiful.

For the best autumn colours

Try England’s Peak District in September when the heather blooms in vivid purple on the moorland, or October for the turning leaves. The gentle valleys are dotted with pretty villages, and higher ground brings some spectacular views.

The tree-clad slopes of Umbria are beautiful in September and October, and while it’s a short season, there’s more than enough to enjoy in the gorgeous landscapes and historic hilltop towns, and some fabulous Italian food!

More walking routes for autumn colour: Alpes Maritimes, Northern Portugal

Places to celebrate the harvest!

Late September/early October is a heady time in the Rhine Valley, as the vines reach their full potential and the grapes are harvested. We have two variations of the walk through the most spectacular part of the Rhine Gorge – do please ask us for advice about finding the quietest times to hike.

The vineyards of Ribeira Sacra will also be bustling with activity during the autumn season. This part of southern Galicia is a wine region gaining wider recognition, and you can sample a few vintages while enjoying the stunning valley views.

More walking routes through vineyards: Catalonia: El Priorat, Classic Slovenia

‘Low season’ routes opening up

Available from October to April is Marina Alta, in the hill country beyond Alicante, an area that is too warm for summer walking. These quiet trails are a world away from the busier coast, and a great choice for this time of year.

Among the volcanic peaks of the Canary Islands, our hiking route on La Gomera is a perfect autumn-winter-spring option. The dramatic landscapes are complemented by the island’s extraordinary biodiversity, and steep ascents are rewarded with magnificent views.

More walking routes for the cooler months: Mallorca, Andalucia

Whether you are a dedicated walker or an armchair wanderer, travel books are a wonderful way to transport yourself to a different landscape. As passionate walkers and readers, the On Foot Team recommends these great reads…

“Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere” by Jan Morris – read by Debbie

An easy and absorbing read with the remarkable description of a city that has fallen from grace. From being one of the principal Mediterranean ports, its glorious history is reduced to that of a small city, almost forgotten in northeastern Italy. Yet it has an extraordinary atmosphere that is so well evoked by the wonderful Jan Morris – whose prose beautifully describes the character of this once great city.

“Lonely Planet’s Guide to Train Travel in Europe” – read by Heather 

This is a glossy book to dip in and out of, which will inspire glorious journeys and fun stopovers for your travels round Europe by train. Via the device of half a dozen long distance journeys on high-speed routes, it covers many of Europe’s most scenic lines, with plenty of enchanting places to stop on the way. Useful for general advice and route planning, rather than forensic detail.

“As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning” by Laurie Lee – read by Viiktoria 

This is a classic travel memoir that describes the physical and emotional journey of a young man setting out in life. Laurie left his quiet Gloucestershire village to walk across Spain, only to find himself caught up in the escalating civil war in Andalucia. Lee writes a frank but poetic portrayal of his experiences and the people that he gets to know along the way.

“Neither Here Nor There” by Bill Bryson – read by Tina 

Bryson takes you on his journey through Europe as a student, sharing his highs and lows. He has created a light-hearted, funny summary of his travel experiences, and reminds me that exploring new cultures isn’t always as easy and glamorous as we might wish.

“A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemmingway – read by Harriet 

A Farewell to Arms is an unflinching historical romance that follows the events of the Italian campaign of WWI. The author’s minimalist writing style heightens the sense of suspense and danger during the lovers’ daring escape across Lake Maggiore and into Switzerland. The narrative features many places included in or near our Lake Maggiore walking holiday, so you can step back into the local history and see through Hemingway’s perspective. A passionate and refreshing read.

Hemingway’s most iconic novel – a dramatic portrayal of love and war. Loosely biographical.

And if you liked those, here are more suggestions for books to fire the imagination of a keen traveller:

Mythos by Stephen Fry – a vivid retelling of the myths of the Greek gods and goddesses. Ideal preparation for your own Greek odyssey!

The Red Room by Mark Dawson – a murder mystery starring private investigator Atticus Priest, set in On Foot’s home town of Salisbury.

Europe, An Intimate Journey by Jan Morris – a portrait of a continent forged over decades of journeying.

Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – an exciting account of this aviator’s flying adventures, from the Pyrenees to the Andes.

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières – a modern classic, blending a tender love story on the Greek island of Cephallonia with the harsh realities of World War II.

The Writer’s Map edited by Huw Lewis-Jones – this is a beautifully illustrated “atlas of imaginary lands” for map lovers, which will take you to Narnia, Middle-Earth and Moominvalley, as well as the semi-fantastical charts of early explorers.