10/09/2026
Here is one reason why you should plan your next trip to Europe with a travel advisor. The border system in Europe is changing and new systems are being implemented. Here’s what it looks like in real life.
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been live for almost a year. It’s now fully operational at every Schengen external border, so passport stamps are a thing of the past.
What to expect on your FIRST crossing:
📸 A quick facial photo
🖐️ Fingerprints (kids under 12 skip the fingerprints)
🛂 A passport scan at a kiosk or with a border officer
After that first registration, future trips go faster.
My tips:
✅ Build in extra time on arrival, especially at big airports in peak season
✅ Have your passport ready and don’t pack it away after the kiosk
What about ETIAS (the European Travel Authorization) ?
Not live yet. You can’t apply, and there’s no confirmed start date. When it does launch, the only official application site is travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. Look-alike sites are already out there, so don’t pay anyone to “pre-register.”
Questions about your upcoming trip? Send me a message and I’ll help you plan around it.