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

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

UPDATE: Introduction of the EES begins on 12 October 2025, and will be phased in gradually across six months until 9 April 2026.

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

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will apply 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 only needs to be done once. It is not possible to register in advance of travelling. Registration may take place on exiting the Schengen region while the system is being phased in.

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 the scheme is implemented. 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 in the last quarter of 2026, 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 €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.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visitors to the UK

From 8 January 2025 an ETA will be required for entry into the UK from some countries, and from 2 April 2025 for another group of countries. Travellers who are not British citizens or do not have a visa or the right to live in the UK will need to apply before travelling.

Please check here to find whether you will need to apply for an ETA, and for the relevant timescales.

There is a helpful video showing how to apply here.

Updated 9 September 2025