What are the upcoming travel changes within the EU and the UK?

Both the European Union (EU) and the UK are in the process of introducing electronic travel authorisation systems, similar to the USA’s ESTA. These will impact the way visitors can travel to EU countries and the UK.

Changes being introduced for travel to EU countries

The changes for travelling to EU countries include:

1. The introduction of Entry and Exit System (EES)

The EU is planning to introduce an Entry/Exit System (EES): a new digital system that will replace manual passport stamping when visitors arrive at the border. It is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for short stays, each time they cross the external borders of most European countries.

Other than offering a better entry/exit experience and enhanced security, the EES will help the authorities to identify overstayers who exceed the 90 days per 180 days duration allowed for short-term visitors.

British nationals will be required to create a digital record of their first visit to the Schengen Zone (an area encompassing 29 European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders) by registering their biometric details when they first arrive at the port of entry. At some ports such as Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras, the EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK.

The intended start date of 10 November has now been pushed back owing to the likely disruption at ports, and the new rollout date has yet to be confirmed.

2. The introduction of ETIAS

Furthermore, starting in the first half of 2025, nationals of 60 visa-exempt countries, such as the UK, will be required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is very similar to the USA’s ESTA and is linked to a traveller’s passport. The application is submitted online and is expected to be processed within minutes, unless there are reasons that may cause delay. The ETIAS will be valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

With a valid ETIAS, travellers can enter the territory of European countries as often as they want for short-term stays – normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not mean entry will be guaranteed. On arrival, a border guard will still inspect a passport and other documents that may apply, to verify that the conditions of entry are met.

Changes to travel to the UK

In a similar process, the UK has been rolling out the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) gradually. So far it has been applicable to a handful of countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

ETA will be required for all non-visa nationals in 2025: with most countries including the USA expected to join the scheme as from 8 January 2025 and EU nationals as from 2 April 2025.

An application for ETA is submitted online and is expected to take three working days or less to be processed.

ETA will be linked to the passport that is used to make the application and lasts for two years or until the expiry of the passport, whichever comes sooner. Based on ETA, visitors can travel to the UK during its validity period, provided they meet the general visitor conditions, such as not working and not staying beyond six months.

The days of travelling with just a passport will soon be over. The introduction of ETIAS is likely to affect a large number of UK nationals travelling to the EU region in 2025 during the Easter and summer holidays. Visitors should therefore familiarise themselves with these upcoming changes to avoid being refused boarding a flight or train for lack of the appropriate travel authorisation.

If you have questions or concerns about the travel changes being introduced, please contact Tsige Berhanu.