ETIAS and EES: What  Travelers Need to Know

The European Union is introducing two major changes to how travellers enter Europe over the next few years. These systems, known as EES (Entry/Exit System) and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), will affect millions of visitors from visa-exempt countries, including the UK.

If you’re planning a European holiday or cruise between 2025 and 2027, here’s a clear breakdown of what is changing, when it’s happening, and what it actually means for you.

Why Is This Happening?

The introduction of EES and ETIAS is part of a wider effort by the European Union to modernize border security, improve tracking of short stays, and streamline entry procedures across the Schengen Area.

While these changes have sparked debate among some travelers, it’s worth remembering that similar systems already exist elsewhere. For example, the United States already operates a similar system called ESTA, which requires eligible travelers to apply for travel authorization before arrival, provide personal information, and pay a processing fee. In addition, visitors are subject to standard border procedures on entry, including identity verification, biometric processing, and the collection of travel data.

From the EU’s perspective, these systems are about consistency, security, and efficiency. They are designed to reduce overstays, replace outdated paper-based processes like passport stamping, and ultimately speed up border crossings once the systems are fully embedded.

In practice, the short-term impact may feel more complicated during rollout, but the long-term goal is a more automated and streamlined travel experience across Europe.

First Things First: These Are Two Different Systems

It’s easy to confuse ETIAS and EES, but they do two completely different jobs.

Think of it like this:

They work together, but they do not start at the same time.

What Is the EES (Entry/Exit System)?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the EU’s new digital border system, replacing the traditional passport stamping process for non-EU travellers.

Instead of a manual stamp, your entry and exit will be recorded electronically.

What EES collects

When you arrive at a Schengen border, you may be asked to provide:

This information is stored digitally and used to track how long you stay in the Schengen Area, including the 90-day limit for visa-free travel.

When Does EES Start?

The EES officially began rolling out on 12 October 2025, but it is not being introduced everywhere at once. Instead, it is being phased in across Europe:

However, the rollout is flexible, and some delays are expected during busy travel periods.

During the transition period some borders will still use manual passport stamps, some will use biometric kiosks, and queues may be longer than usual while systems are being introduced. At busy airports and cruise ports, travellers should allow extra time, especially during peak summer 2026.

*TO NOTE: As of May 2026 there are significant delays being reported as smaller or regional airports across Europe. Check the latest travel advice for your trip.

How EES Will Work at Border Control

If you are entering the Schengen Area after EES is in place, your experience may look slightly different depending on whether it’s your first visit under the system.

First-time registration

You may need to scan your passport, provide fingerprints, have a facial photo taken. This creates your digital travel record.

Return visits

After your first registration, your biometric data is already stored border checks are faster.

Officers simply verify your identityIn some locations, self-service kiosks or mobile pre-registration may be available, helping reduce processing time.

What Is ETIAS?

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is not a border check system.

Instead, it is a pre-travel authorisation, similar to the US ESTA system.

If you are from a visa-exempt country (including the UK), you will need ETIAS approval before traveling to most European countries in the Schengen Area.

When Will ETIAS Start?

ETIAS has been delayed multiple times and is now expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026, although some sources suggest it may extend into early 2027.

Once it becomes mandatory:

How Much Will ETIAS Cost?

At the time of writing, ETIAS will cost a standard fee of €20 when it launches. Some travellers will be exempt from paying this fee, including those under the age of 18 and those over the age of 70.

Even if no payment is required, all eligible travellers will still need to complete the application and receive approval before they travel.

How EES and ETIAS Work Together

These two systems are designed to complement each other:

Once both are fully in place: your ETIAS approval can be checked automatically at the border your entry and exit history will be recorded digitally overstays will be easier to detect.

They are part of a wider EU effort to modernize border security and streamline travel.

What About Cruise Passengers?

If you’re cruising, the impact depends on your itinerary.

If your cruise starts and ends outside the Schengen Area (for example, UK round-trip cruises), you may not go through EES checks in the same way.

If you fly into Europe to join a cruise, you will likely go through EES at the airport.

Cruise ports within Schengen countries may still introduce biometric checks during the rollout period.

During the transition phase, manual passport stamping may still happen in some ports.

Final Thoughts

The introduction of EES and ETIAS marks a major shift in how Europe manages border entry for international visitors.

While the systems sound complex, the goal is simple: more secure borders and a more efficient travel process once everything is fully implemented.

In the short term, travellers may experience some adjustment periods, especially during the 2025–2026 rollout. But in the long term, most of the process should become faster and more streamlined.

If you’re travelling to Europe in the next couple of years, it’s worth staying informed, but there is no immediate action required.

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