If you’ve got plans to travel almost anywhere across mainland Europe and the EU this year, there are two important incoming schemes you ought to be aware of: the EES and the ETIAS.
Right now, British passport holders are able to visit anywhere in Europe’s Schengen area (29 countries that have agreed to an open border) for up to 90 days without the need for a visa. But that’s set to change real soon.
Set to roll out some time this year, countries like Greece, Spain, Iceland and Portugal will require UK visitors to register on an automated system and apply for a visa waiver. Sounds complicated? We’ve got you. Here’s all the information you need to know about the new European travel rules for 2025.
What’s the difference between EES and ETIAS?
EES
EES stands for Entry/Exit System. It’s a system that digitally registers travellers from non-EU countries every time they cross a border into or out of the EU. It means that their travel history will now be recorded digitally and they’ll no longer need passport stamps. It aims to make travelling through airports more efficient and to ‘improve border security’.
Once it’s in place, the EES will require travellers to register their fingerprints and facial biometrics at the border. After you’ve done that once, you won’t need to register to travel again for three years, unless you get a new passport.
At border control, you’ll scan your passport at an automated self-service kiosk, replacing the manual passport stamping.
ETIAS
On the other hand, ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. This is the system that requires passport holders (like Brits) who don’t need a visa to apply and pay for a visa waiver instead. It’ll also last three years.
Where will EES apply?
There are 25 EU countries and four European countries that will soon implement EES. They are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- 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
When will EES and ETIAS be introduced?
The EES has faced numerous delays and an official start date still hasn’t been confirmed. The ETIAS will come into place six months after the Entry/Exit system has been rolled out.
How much will the ETIAS cost?
The ETIAs visa waiver will cost £6 for travellers aged 18 to 70. It’s free for kids and anyone over 70.
How to apply for an ETIAS
It’s pretty simple. All you’ll need is your passport, £6 and 15 minutes to spare. It’s advised that you submit your application at least two to three weeks before your day of travel.
You can’t apply yet, but eventually a tab will open on the ETIAS website where you’ll enter the following information:
- Personal information including your name(s), surname, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address and phone number;
- Travel document details;
- Details about your level of education and current occupation;
- Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS;
- Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country.
If you are applying with a British passport, it must not be within three months of its expiry date. If you have different travel documentation, you can have a look here to make sure that it is a valid form.
Travelling into the UK. This is the important new travel rule you need to know.
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