EES Launch Date Confirmed and ETIAS Fee Rises to €20: What Visa-Free Travellers Need to Know

The European Union is moving into a new era of digital border control. After years of delays, it has confirmed that the Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin a phased rollout on 12 October 2025, with the system expected to be fully operational at all external Schengen borders by 10 April 2026. Alongside this, the EU has confirmed that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will start later, and that its fee will be higher than first planned.

For travellers who enter the Schengen area without a visa, both changes are significant: EES changes what happens at the border itself, while ETIAS adds a pre-travel authorisation step before departure.

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What changes with EES

EES is an automated system that digitally records the border crossings of non-EU passport holders entering the Schengen area for short stays. Instead of manually stamping passports, border officers will register travellers electronically.

On first entry under the system, travellers will need to provide biometric data, including:

• a facial image
• fingerprint scans
• name and passport details
• entry and exit information

Because the launch is phased over roughly six months rather than switched on overnight, travellers should expect a mixed experience at first, with some borders and terminals using the new biometric process and others continuing with manual checks until the system is fully integrated.

Why the EU is making the change

The stated goals are to streamline border processing without relying on manual passport stamps, to apply entry rules more consistently, and to strengthen security across the external border. To prepare, the UK government has spent around £10 million on infrastructure at key crossings, and operators such as Eurostar have invested in self-service kiosks to reduce queues.

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ETIAS and the new €20 fee

The EU has said ETIAS is expected to start sometime between October and December 2026, roughly six months after EES becomes operational. It will require non-EU passport holders from visa-exempt countries to obtain an electronic authorisation before travelling, similar to the United States' ESTA.

The fee was originally set at €7, but has now been almost tripled to €20. The EU says the increase covers operational costs, accounts for inflation, and aligns the charge with comparable travel authorisation programmes. Once issued, the authorisation will be valid for three years or until the passport expires, and will allow unlimited short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

If you are planning a trip, it is worth understanding the ETIAS application process in advance so the new requirement does not catch you out.