The European Union is introducing two important changes for travel to Europe. These are:
EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which is planned to launch on 10th November in 2024.
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), due in mid-2025. If you are planning to travel later this year or next year, we’ve provided some guidance on what you need to know about the upcoming changes.
EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES)
The EU Entry/Exit system is a new electronic system that will replace the physical stamping of passports when you go through passport control when arriving in and departing from your destination. It will register all entries and exits to and from the participating European countries, which basically means it will register your movements every time you cross a border in or out of the EU/Schengen area.
Once the new system is live, when you go through passport control on your arrival to, and departure from your destination, as well as providing your passport you will also need to have a photo of your face taken, and your fingerprints scanned.
The EU has a target date of 10th November 2024 for the EES to go live.
Who will it apply to?
It will apply to those travelling for a short stay, from what the EU call a ‘third country’. This is people who are not an EU citizen or a citizen of the Schengen area. So it will apply to most people travelling from the UK.
A short stay refers to visits, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period. The vast majority of travel between the UK and Europe will be classed as a short stay.
Irish passport holders are exempt from EES. If you are a British passport holder but have EU residency, you are also exempt from EES.
Travelling via the Port of Dover or international train (London St Pancras and Folkestone)
In most cases, the EES checks will take place in Europe – when you arrive at your destination airport or port, and when you leave at the end of your trip.
However, if you are departing via the Port of Dover or via international train from the UK (London St Pancras and Folkestone), then these checks will happen when going through the passport control in the UK, on your departure.
This is because there is a dual border – both British and French borders – at these locations.
However, you won’t need to do these checks again when you arrive on the other side.
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