Last updated: 11th October 2024
Important Update: The implementation of EES, originally announced from 10th November 2024 as described below, has been delayed. No new date has yet been announced. See report from the BBC here.
There are some important changes to EU border regulations that affect all non-EU nationals travelling to EU/Schengen countries. It’s important that you’re aware of these changes so that you can plan accordingly and ensure that your journey goes smoothly.
EES (from 10th November 2024):
EES – the European Entry/Exit System – will come into force on 10th November 2024.
You will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, when you arrive in the EU. EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU.
The first time each passenger enters the EU, the system needs to register their details and create a new record. This record is then valid for 3 years, so repeat entries for later trips should be processed more quickly.
Especially in the months following the introduction of EES, when the system will need to create a new record for almost every passenger passing through, you may well find that there are some delays with immigration processing at the border.
You should allow extra time for this in your travel plans, for example between flight arrival and onward travel connections, especially if you are travelling in the period shortly after the system is introduced. As with the introduction of any such major change, there may be some “teething troubles” with implementation in the beginning which could lead to additional delays.
For more information, please see the following:
- Information on EES from the British Government (applies to UK passport holders – if you are from a different country outside the EU, your government website may well have similar information).
- A general advice sheet from ABTA, which may also be of help.
ETIAS (from mid-2025):
For now, EES is the only imminent change. Sometime in 2025 (planned to be introduced mid-2025 but no firm date given yet), there will be another new system, known as ETIAS – the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.
ETIAS is an authorisation that you will need to apply for in advance of your travel to the EU (with a nominal cost of €7) and will be valid for 3 years and for multiple trips. You can read more about ETIAS on the ABTA website linked to above.