ABTA Turns Europe Travel Changes into a Practical Guide to EES and ETIAS

The European Union has brought in two important changes for travel to Europe: the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The travel association ABTA has set out clear guidance on both, and its practical framing helps travellers understand what to expect at the border and what to do before they go. EES officially became fully operational on 10 April 2026, while ETIAS is still to come.

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EES: what it is and who it affects

EES is an electronic system that replaces the physical stamping of passports when you pass through border control on arrival in and departure from participating European countries. It registers every entry and exit, so each crossing in or out of the EU/Schengen area is recorded. As well as showing a passport, travellers have a photo of their face taken and their fingerprints scanned.

The system applies to people travelling for a short stay from a 'third country', meaning those who are not EU or Schengen citizens, which covers most people travelling from the UK. A short stay means visits, holidays or business trips of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Irish passport holders are exempt, as are British passport holders with EU residency. People of all ages go through EES, but children under 12 do not need to give fingerprints, although they will have a facial scan taken.

To speed things up, a Travel to Europe mobile app lets travellers pre-register passport details and a facial image and complete the entry questionnaire within 72 hours before travel. It does not replace border checks and is not yet available in every country, with functions varying between member states.

ETIAS: cost, validity and how to apply

ETIAS is the EU's new travel authorisation, which visa-exempt travellers from third countries will need before visiting around 30 European countries. It is similar in concept to the United States' ESTA and the UK's ETA. The EU is aiming to introduce it towards the end of 2026, though a date has not been confirmed and applications are not yet open.

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Once live, ETIAS will cost €20 and be free for those under 18 and aged 70 and over, and it will be valid for three years or until the passport expires. There is only one official website, and ABTA warns that more than 60 unofficial sites already offer ETIAS even though the system is not live, risking overcharging or data theft. For a plain-language summary of how these systems work together, see our ETIAS overview.

Practical scenarios: ports, cruises and school trips

Where checks happen depends on how you travel. In most cases EES checks take place in Europe on arrival and departure, but if you leave via the Port of Dover or by international train from London St Pancras or Folkestone, the checks happen in the UK because of the juxtaposed British and French border controls. Cruise passengers' obligations depend on where the cruise starts and ends, and UK round-trip cruises generally do not require EES registration.

School groups face an added consideration: because EES records each person individually, every traveller using the self-service kiosks needs their own passport, so collective passports may not be valid. Schools are advised to confirm the rules for their destination, ensure each pupil has a valid passport, and allow extra time at the border.