Visas & entry

ETIAS and EES: Europe's new border rules

UK passport, from late 2026Apply online before you goChecked 22 October 2026

EES is already running: on your first trip, your fingerprints and photo are taken at the border instead of a passport stamp. ETIAS is coming: the EU expects to launch the €20 online travel authorisation in late 2026. Until it launches, you don't need one, and the 90-in-180-day rule stays the same.

No visa needed
Apply online before you go
Visa on arrival
Visa in advance

RatingApply online before you go

Areas covered3 on this page

Neither change is a visa. EES records when you enter and leave, so it can count your 90 days automatically. ETIAS is a pre-travel check, similar to the US ESTA, that you apply for online before you go.

The two changes at a glance

EES (since 12 October 2025)No visa needed
Free. Fingerprints and a face photo at a kiosk on your first entry, then a quick face check on later trips. At Dover, Folkestone and St Pancras, the checks happen in the UK before you leave.
ETIAS (expected late 2026)Apply online before you go
€20 online, free for under-18s and over-70s. Valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires.
Where it appliesApply online before you go
The 29 Schengen countries plus Cyprus. Not Ireland, which shares the Common Travel Area with the UK.

How to apply for ETIAS, once it starts

Use the official EU site only (travel-europe.europa.eu). Copycat sites charge far more.
Have your passport ready, plus your address, job and travel plans.
Pay the €20 fee by card.
Most approvals arrive in minutes, but some take up to 30 days, so apply before you book flights.

What EES means at the airport

The first trip after EES started takes longer, because every traveller registers at a kiosk. Allow extra time at busy ports in summer and school holidays. Children under 12 don't give fingerprints. Your record lasts three years, and each later trip is quicker.

Before you go

Check your passport was issued less than 10 years before you travel and is valid for 3 months after you leave.
Apply for ETIAS only on the official EU website once it opens.
Allow extra time at Dover and Eurostar on your first trip under EES.

Official advice: EU travel to Europe site: ETIAS and EES

See the visa filter on the map European country guides

Questions people ask

Do I need ETIAS now?

Not yet. The EU expects to launch it in late 2026, followed by a transition period. We'll update this page when it opens.

How much will ETIAS cost?

€20, paid online. It's free if you're under 18 or over 70.

Is ETIAS a visa?

No. It's a travel authorisation, like the US ESTA. You still get 90 days in any 180 without a visa.

Does EES change the 90/180 rule?

No. The rule is the same, but EES now counts your days automatically, so overstays are spotted at the border.

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Waymark summarises official UK government (FCDO) travel advice and other public sources to help you plan. It is not a substitute for that advice, which can change at short notice. Always read the latest FCDO page for your destination and check your insurance before you book. Content last checked 22 October 2026.