ETIAS & EES Changes: What Non-EU Travellers Must Know (2025–2026)

Update (10 October 2025): Information confirmed with official EU sources.

Timeline (simple)

• EES starts: 12 October 2025 (gradual rollout by country/port). Replaces manual passport stamps for non-EU/EEA/Swiss visa-exempt and visa-required travellers entering the Schengen Area.

• ETIAS starts: Q4 2026 (for visa-exempt travellers). Fee: €20.

What EES means at the border

• First trip after 12 Oct 2025: You’ll register biometrics (face + fingerprints) and passport details at a kiosk or with a border guard; afterward, entries/exits are logged digitally. Expect possible queues during the transition.

• Who’s not in scope: EU citizens are not subject to EES; Ireland isn’t part of Schengen. (Normal border rules apply.)

What ETIAS is (and isn’t)

• ETIAS = travel authorisation, not a visa, for visa-exempt visitors to 30 European countries. Apply online before travel once it launches; most approvals are fast, but apply early. Fee: €20.

• Beware of look-alike sites charging extra “service” fees; use the official Europa site.

How to prepare (checklist)

• Before Oct 12, 2025 trips: None—stamps still used until the start date. After that, allow extra time for your first EES registration.

• Late-2026 onward: Build ETIAS into your planning like an ESTA—apply online, pay €20, and travel with the same passport used to apply.

FAQs

When does EES start exactly?
12 October 2025, with a staggered rollout by Member State/port.

Do children need fingerprints?
Under-12s are typically exempt from fingerprinting under EES; check local implementation notes before travel. (Policy details may vary during rollout.)

When will ETIAS be required?
Late 2026 (Q4). Until then, no ETIAS is needed.

How much will ETIAS cost?
€20 per application (certain travellers may be exempt per EU rules).

Hashtags: #ETIAS #EES #EuropeTravel #Schengen #TravelUpdates #BorderControl

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/

Starting 12 October 2025, the EU will gradually roll out the new Entry/Exit System (EES) – a fully electronic border system that will replace passport stamps for many non-EU travellers. Full implementation is expected by 10 April 2026.

Here are the essentials for travellers and ✈️ who does it apply to?
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens visiting the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days within 180 days).
Exemptions: EU citizens, residents with valid permits, and certain special cases (e.g., rights under the EU–UK withdrawal agreement).

🔍 What is recorded?
At each border crossing:
🔍 Personal data (name, date of birth, travel document details).
🔍 Biometrics: facial image + fingerprints (fingerprints not required for children under 12).
📅 Date, time, and place of entry/exit.
🛑 Records of refused entries.
📅 Data is stored for three years.

⚙️ What changes in practice?
No more passport stamps once EES is fully operational.
Border checks become digital and automated, often via kiosks or e-gates.
After your first registration, usually only a photo or fingerprint is required on re-entry (within three years).
Expect longer queues at first as systems are introduced.
Refusing biometric registration may lead to denied entry.

✅ Practical tips for travellers
1. Check your status – does EES apply to your nationality?
2. Use a biometric passport that meets ICAO standards.
3. Track your days – EES enforces the 90/180-day rule.
4. Prepare for biometrics – photo + fingerprints on your first entry.
5. Allow extra time at borders, especially during the transition phase.
6. Follow country-specific instructions – implementation may differ by airport/land/sea borders.
7. Stay updated – the rollout is gradual across Schengen countries.

The EES marks a major shift in how Europe manages its external borders. For travellers, it means faster digital checks in the long term, but also new procedures to be aware of when entering or leaving Schengen.

🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/diimb7DE

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