Changes when travelling to europe

The European Union is introducing two important changes for travel to Europe. These are:

• EU Entry/Exit System (EES) which is due to come into force in autumn 2024.

• European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), due in mid-2025. 

If you are travelling this summer, these changes won’t yet be in place, so there is nothing you need to do.

However, if you are planning to travel later this year or next year, you need to know about the upcoming changes. 

 

The EU Entry/Exit system is an upcoming electronic platform designed to modernize the passport control process by eliminating physical passport stamps on entry and exit. This system will track all movements in and out of participating European countries, ensuring that every border crossing within the EU/Schengen area is recorded. Starting from October 6, 2024, travelers will be required to present their passport, have their facial photo taken, and provide their fingerprints during both arrival and departure passport checks.

Who will it apply to?

This will affect individuals traveling for a short period from what the EU defines as a 'third country,' which includes those who are neither EU citizens nor citizens of the Schengen area. Therefore, it will impact most individuals traveling from the UK for visits, holidays, or business trips that last up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The majority of travel between the UK and Europe falls under the category of short stays. Additionally, Irish passport holders and British passport holders with EU residency are not required to comply with the EES.

These are the countries that will be using EES.

Austria, Estonia, Iceland, Malta, Slovakia, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Bulgaria, France, Latvia, Norway, Spain, Croatia, Germany, Liechtenstein, Poland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Greece, Lithuania, Portugal, Switzerland, Denmark, Hungary, Luxembourg, Romania

Travelling via the Port of Dover or international train (London St Pancras and Folkestone)

Typically, EES checks will occur within Europe, at your arrival airport or port and at your departure point at the end of your journey. Yet, if you are leaving through the Port of Dover or via an international train from the UK (such as London St Pancras and Folkestone), these controls will take place during the UK passport control process upon departure. This is due to the presence of dual borders (British and French) at these specific locations. However, there will be no need to undergo these checks again upon arrival on the other side..

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) – expected mid-2025

ETIAS is the EU’s new travel authorisation which you will need to apply for ahead of your travels to the 30 European countries listed below once the system is introduced. It is a similar concept to the USA’s ESTA and the UK’s ETA scheme.

It is due to be introduced in mid-2025, but there is not yet an exact date as to when it will come into force. This means you do not need to have a ETIAS for travel to Europe at the moment. 

When implemented, travellers will be able to apply for an ETIAS by the official website – www.europa.eu/etias.

As the system is not live, the website itself is not live or taking applications, so you cannot yet get an official ETIAS. Any websites claiming to offer this are false.

Who will it apply to?

When the system is up and running in 2025, visa-exempt travellers from third countries will need to apply for an ETIAS. Put simply, if you are travelling to the EU for a short stay and are not a citizen of an EU or Schengen country, then you will need an ETIAS. 

A short stay refers to visits, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period. 

If you are travelling on a visa, you don’t need an ETIAS. 

Irish passport holders are exempt from ETIAS. If you are a British passport holder but have EU residency you also don’t need an ETIAS.