21/07/2025
🌍 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗨 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆? 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🇬🇧🇪🇺
We know there’s been a few stories in the news lately about “new rules” for travel to Europe – and as usual, the headlines are making it sound worse than it really is.
The good news? Not much is changing just yet.
There are two new changes coming in for UK travellers heading to the EU – but don’t worry, we’ve broken them down in plain English below 👇
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🛂 𝗘𝗨 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆/𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 (𝗘𝗘𝗦)
The EES is a new electronic border control system being introduced by the EU. It’s replacing the old-fashioned method of manually stamping passports when you enter or leave a country.
Instead of a stamp, your information will be recorded digitally.
When you go through border control in an EU or Schengen country, you’ll need to:
✅ Present your passport
📸 Have a photo of your face taken
🖐️ Have your fingerprints scanned
🧑 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼?
This applies to both UK citizens, and non-EU/non-Schengen travellers visiting for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period)
• Children of all ages need to go through EES
Under 12s don’t give fingerprints, but a facial scan is still required
• Irish passport holders are exempt, and if you have EU residency you’re also exempt
🚢 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀:
If your cruise starts and ends in the UK, you’re exempt from EES.
Flying to Europe for your cruise? Then you’ll do EES checks at the airport.
🚆 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿 / 𝗗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆:
EES checks will happen in the UK before you board – not on arrival in Europe.
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📝 𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗦 (𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻)
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗦 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿.
This is expected to start in late 2026.
This is a new form you’ll need to fill out before you travel (like the US ESTA).
✅ Not needed until end of 2026
💻 You’ll apply online (only via the official EU site)
💷 There will be a fee, but free for under 18s and over 70s
📆 Valid for 3 years
⚠️ You can’t apply yet – so don’t be tricked by fake websites claiming they can do it now.
When implemented, travellers will be able to apply for an ETIAS by the official website – www.europa.eu/etias
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🗺️ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆?
They’ll affect most popular European destinations, including:
France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Netherlands, and many more.
If you’re still unsure, please follow official advise from GOV - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice