Europe is home to some of the most popular holiday destinations, with over 60 million Brits jetting off to countries across the EU in 2023 alone. The region is a hotspot for city breaks and sun-seeking getaways, with travel to Europe from the UK being extremely easy: either via a short flight or by travelling on the Eurostar under the English Channel.

With the EU announcing upcoming changes to travel in and out of Europe in the near future, anyone used to a hassle-free holiday might be wondering how their plans could be affected. At Trtl Travel, we’ve got the answers. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what changes are expected to come into play for travel between the UK and Europe and what this means for your future trips.

What changes are happening for travel to Europe?

The EU is planning to introduce two main changes to travel to Europe. The first is setting up EU entry and exit systems (EES) between the borders of neighbouring countries, and the second is launching the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

Below, we’ve broken down each of these two changes to help you understand what impact they’re likely to have on your holidays:

EU Entry/Exit Systems

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is the first of the two changes to be introduced and will affect the way you cross the border between participating countries. This change will replace the traditional manual-stamping passport rules for Europe with an electronic system that registers anyone entering or leaving countries digitally.

While this might sound confusing, the change just means your movements will be recorded each time you cross over a border within the EU/Schengen area, rather than the current system that lets you move freely between countries once you arrive in the EU.

Once this new system is up and running, you’ll still need to have your passport examined when passing through the border between two countries, but you’ll also have your biometric data captured — such as getting a photo of your face taken or your fingerprints scanned.

ETIAS

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is the European Union’s new travel authorisation system. It’s similar to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) that non-UK residents need to enter the UK on holiday or the ESTA system used in the US, which requires visitors to pay a $21 fee for a two-year travel authorisation.

Once the system is live, anyone travelling within the EU for a short stay (up to 90 days) from a visa-exempt country (including the UK) will need approval from the ETIAS before their trip. The ETIAS is effectively a new visa for Europe that proves you have permission to enter a country.

When will the Entry/Exit System (EES) start?

Currently, the EU still hasn’t set a specific date for the new Entry/Exit system to start (correct as of October 2024). 

The system was originally due to be introduced by the end of November 2024, but this has been delayed due to several countries not being ready to implement the new border technology — which means you don’t need to worry about using the Entry/Exit system for any travel between the UK and EU for the time being.

Who does the new Entry/Exit system apply to?

Once the EES launches, it will apply to anyone travelling within the EU for a short stay from what is deemed a ‘third country’ — these are countries not included in the EU or Schengen area. 

For those wondering if the UK is an EES country, the answer is yes. This new system means that, for most people travelling to Europe from the UK, you’ll need to use the Entry/Exit system any time you travel to any of the participating countries on holiday — unless you’re an EU or Schengen country citizen.

What if you're travelling by train or on a cruise?

Stopping to take a photo and have your fingerprints scanned may not seem like a big deal when crossing a physical border — but what if you’re travelling across Europe by train or as part of a cruise?

If you're on a cruise

The good news is that any cruises that start and end at a UK port won’t require EES registration. This means you’ll be able to leave the ship to enjoy day trips in each country without completing any EES processes.

However, if you’re flying into an EU country to depart on your cruise, you’ll need to complete EES registration when arriving at your destination airport. Similarly, if your cruise ends in an EU or Schengen country, your information will be taken at the border of the country you’re flying home from.

If you're travelling by train

If you’re catching an international train, you’ll need to fill out an EES registration before you board. The first time you travel under EES, you’ll need to have a photo taken and your fingerprints scanned, along with answering four travel-related questions at a self-service kiosk. These questions are likely to be about your destination, length of stay, and country of origin.

For any further travel within three years of your first trip, you’ll need to go to a kiosk to confirm your identity via facial recognition and answer an additional three questions before you can board the train — which is often the last thing you want when you’re standing in a noisy train station. Once again, these questions aim to find out more about your journey and how long you’ll be travelling through the Schengen area.

Thankfully, Eurostar has rolled out a £8.5 million)investment to double the number of kiosks at St Pancras station. The UK government is providing an additional £10.5 million of funding to help prepare ports and Eurostar stations for the EES launch, so this process should hopefully run without too many lengthy queues.

What's happening with ETIAS?

The ETIAS launch has been pushed back several times since it was originally announced in 2017, but the system is now expected to start sometime in 2025 (correct as of October 2024). 

This means that, for the rest of 2024, you will still be able to travel to Europe for a short stay without needing pre-approval from the ETIAS.

When will ETIAS be implemented?

While there is no official date right now, if everything goes as planned, travellers can expect to see ETIAS start sometime in the first half of next year. The EU has set May 2025 as a rough guideline, but the system could appear at any time. 

However, it’s worth remembering that there will be a six-month transitional period after the ETIAS is officially launched. During this period, you’ll still be expected to fill out an application, but you won’t necessarily be turned away at the border for not having one — as long as you meet all other entry criteria.

Who will it apply to?

Once the ETIAS is live, any visa-exempt travellers from ‘third countries’ will need to apply. This means that anyone from the UK, United States, Australia, Japan or Canada who wants to enter any country in the Schengen region will need to apply through the ETIAS before they arrive and provide proof of their application at the border.

If you usually need a visa when you travel, you’ll continue applying for them as usual rather than using the new ETIAS system.

How can you get an ETIAS?

If you’re travelling to any country in the Schengen area, you’ll need to apply for an ETIAS approval online using the official ETIAS website. 

When you apply, you’ll fill out a form stating where you’re from, where you plan to visit, and how long you’ll be staying. Make sure you have your passport on hand, as you’ll need it to fill out your information. Finally, you’ll also need to pay a €7 fee if you’re between 18 and 70.

There are some exemptions to the fee, including:

• UK nationals (and their family) with the right to reside in the EU
• Non-EU nationals with resident permits for any countries using ETIAS

Once you’ve applied, you should hear back via email once your ETIAS has been approved. The email will also contain the document you’ll need to display at the airport — so make sure you keep it safe!

What countries do the changes apply to?

Both the EES and ETIAS will apply to the following countries located in the EU/Schengen area:

Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France

Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta

Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland

It’s worth noting that if you’re travelling to Cyprus, you will still need to get your passport stamped manually despite the country being a member of the EU. Also, if you regularly travel between the UK and Ireland, you’ll be pleased to know that the process will continue normally as Ireland isn’t part of the Schengen area.

What can Brits do to prepare?

While the upcoming changes to travel in the Schengen area may have you worried about long waiting times and extra paperwork when crossing the Channel, the right preparations can help you avoid unnecessary stress and enjoy your European holiday to the fullest.

Here are six ways to get ready for the new travel regulations:

1. Check if your passport is valid

The first and most important way to prepare for the upcoming rule changes is to check your passport’s expiration date carefully. A valid passport is essential for any overseas travel, regardless of the new rules, so you should renew it as soon as possible if it has expired or has less than six months remaining.

Your passport’s age won’t have any impact on having to take photos or scan your fingerprint, but the last thing you need is to be turned away at the border for having a passport that’s too close to expiry. With such a simple renewal process, it’s a costly mistake that can easily be avoided.

2. Plan ahead for application timeframes

Rushing to get important documents signed off at the last minute can delay your travel, so it’s worth noting down the deadlines for any applications you’ll need before your trip and getting your documents in order way ahead of time. 

If you’ll need to use the ETIAS when it’s live, the recommended timeframe is to apply at least 96 hours before your trip — though there will likely be teething issues when the system first launches, so applying even earlier reduces the chances of something going wrong and you being unable to travel.

3. Monitor any border control changes

While the new entry/exit systems aren’t running just quite yet, we can expect to see them fairly soon — so, it’s essential to keep an eye on any changes at the border of the countries you plan to travel to. 

You can find information about travelling across Europe via the European Commission, which will be kept up to date as and when the new changes are rolled out.

4. Track how many days you'll be in the Schengen area

By law, you can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area in a single 180-day period. This number doesn’t reset if you travel between countries — even if you leave the Schengen area and enter again — so tracking how long you stay is vital to avoid accidentally going over the limit. Plus, the last thing you want to do is pay for additional days that you won’t be able to enjoy!

Because you’re only allowed to stay for 90 days, this automatically means that your trip falls under the ‘Short-Stay’ umbrella — which means you’ll always need to apply for ETIAS and go through the entry/exit system if travelling from the UK or any other visa-exempt country.

5. Get comprehensive travel insurance

Although there’s no rule saying you need travel insurance, it’s worth the peace of mind knowing that you’re protected if anything goes wrong during your trip.

With big changes coming into effect in the new year, travelling to Europe will undoubtedly become more complicated, and new systems for staff to learn could mean delays at the border. If you’re catching a connecting flight or boarding a cruise, these delays might even make you miss your transport, which is where travel insurance is a saving grace. Not only can comprehensive insurance help you find alternative travel, but it also reimburses you for any lost costs.

And, of course, no holiday is exempt from seasonal sickness or an emergency — so make sure you bring a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if you’re travelling in Europe to avoid costly medical fees.

6. Stay updated on policy changes

The new EU travel rules aren’t expected to be introduced until 2025 at the earliest, but the exact date is still under review. Because of this, if you’re planning a trip to Europe next year, it’s vital to stay updated on any policy changes to make sure you don’t accidentally miss the ETIAS roll-out.

The easiest way to find out whether you’ll need pre-approval for your travel is to check the ETIAS website to see if they have started accepting applications a few days before your travel date.

Travel comfortably with Trtl Travel

The upcoming changes to European travel might have you feeling anxious about your upcoming trips. But, with the right preparation, you can continue enjoying the sights and sounds of this energetic continent without the hassle.

Our Trtl Pillow can also help take some of the stress out of your travel — whether you’re waiting at border control or riding the Eurostar. Designed with your comfort in mind, you’ll sleep like a baby no matter where you are.

For more travel advice and need-to-know information, take a look at our blog.