EES is coming this year, allegedly, while ETIAS will wait ’till 2026. EES is an automatic registration and will eliminate the need for passport stamps for short stay visitors to most of the EU; ETIAS is the pre-travel authorisation system, travellers will need to apply for permission to enter prior to visiting the EU, as we do for travel to the USA. 19 Jun 2025
From europe.eu, “Key differences between EES and ETIAS”, they say, “The EES will register visa-free and visa-required travellers entering Europe for a short stay. No action will be required from travellers before they start their trip, as registration will be done at the external border of any of the 29 European countries using the system. The countries in question are the 29 Schengen countries. Registration on the EES will be done every time travellers cross external borders and will replace the manual stamping of passports.”
It looks like we have to take no action this year for EES, unless you do not have a machine readable passport, and that ETIAS, which does, will not come into effect until Q4 2026.
There has been a lot of bollocks published about this, suggesting that significant additional documentation will be required.
All of my travel in Europe for the last 13 years has been visa free. I expect that to continue, here is what
- the EUsays, https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr/how-will-ees-work-what-new-during-border-checks##
- & HMG https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system
The EU in summary,
If you arrive at a border crossing point for the first time since the EES started
You will have to provide your personal data. Passport control officers will scan your fingerprints or take a photo of your face. This information will be recorded in a digital file.
This process can be quicker if you register some of your data in advance. You can do this by using:
- the dedicated equipment (“self-service system”), if available at your border crossing point; and/or
- a mobile application – if made available by the country of arrival or departure.
In any of the instances above, you will meet a passport control officer.
HMG says,
If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, when you arrive. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.
They are not talking about a mobile app to preregister the necessary data. Today it is not available in the UK. Personally, I am expecting a postponement which might be a shame.