Future changes to travel to the Schengen area

The EU is introducing a new Entry/Exit system  (ESS) in October 2025.
 
The exact date the Entry/Exit system will be introduced has not been confirmed. You do not need to do anything differently now.

What does that mean?

When EES is introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths. 

You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country.  

If you are flying to a country in the Schengen area, you may experience longer queue times when you arrive at your destination.  

At some ports and international stations (Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras), there may be increased wait times while EESregistration is completed before passengers leave the UK.  If you are travelling through one of these stations, you should check with your travel operator to find out whether EES will affect your journey.

Do I need to register all the time I enter a Schengen Area?

No, your digital record will be valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.

The EES does not apply to:

– Nationals of the European countries using the EES, as well as Cyprus and Ireland

– Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national

– Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card or a residence permit and are immediately related to a non-EU national who can travel throughout Europe like an EU citizen

– Non-EU nationals travelling to Europe as part of an intra-corporate transfer or for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au-pairing

– Holders of residence permits and long-stay visas

– Nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino and holders of a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See

– People exempt from border checks or who have been granted certain privileges with respect to border checks (such as heads of state, cross-border workers, etc.)

– People not required to cross external borders solely at border crossing points and during fixed opening hours

– People holding a valid local border traffic permit

– Crew members of passenger and goods trains on international connecting journeys

– People holding a valid Facilitated Rail Transit Document or valid Facilitated Transit Document, provided they travel by train and do not disembark anywhere within the territory of an EU Member State

Legal base: Article 2(3) of Regulation(EU) 2017/2226

Further entry requirements to the EU

In the last quarter of 2026, the EU is expected to start operations of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). No action is required from travellers at this point. The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS before its launch.    

When ETIAS is introduced, you will need to apply for authorisation to enter Schengen area countries if using a UK passport. You will need to provide personal information and details about your trip, and pay a 7 Euro fee, as part of the authorisation process.  

The EU has already set out more information on ETIAS, including what information will be required from each nationality, on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.

NOTE: there is a difference between European Countries and Schengen area.

The countries in the Schengen area 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, and Switzerland.

For latest updates consult FCDO website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system and travel Europe https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/whom-does-ees-not-apply_en