The EU's New Entry/Exit System: Myths vs Facts on Visas, Insurance and Delays

The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is almost here, and with it has come a wave of misinformation. The 12 October launch begins a six-month rollout, replacing manual passport stamps with an electronic record of non-EU travellers' crossings. Before then, it is worth untangling what is genuinely changing from the myths doing the rounds online.

Much of the confusion centres on UK travellers, who face post-Brexit entry rules as well as the new system. Below we tackle the most persistent myths one by one — about insurance, visas, who is actually affected, fees, delays and data.

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Insurance and visa myths

Myth: British travellers must prove they have medical insurance. This is false. A Eurostar question about "medical insurance" was a translation error and should have read "travel insurance". The UK government has confirmed that medical insurance is not mandatory to enter the EU under EES, although comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Many UK travellers use the free NHS Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which allows medically necessary treatment in EU countries and Switzerland but does not replace travel insurance. The European Commission confirmed to The Independent that no proof of travel insurance is required. That said, post-Brexit entry conditions still apply: you may be asked to justify the purpose of your travel, show sufficient funds, provide proof of booked accommodation, and possibly a round-trip or onward ticket. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after your intended departure date and have been issued within the last 10 years.

Myth: a new visa is needed. Also false. Visa-exempt travellers, such as those from the UK, still need no visa for short stays of 90 days within any 180-day period. EES only registers entry and exit data electronically; it does not change visa policies. It is easily confused with ETIAS, the visa-waiver being introduced from late 2026, which works much like the US ESTA — it is a travel authorisation, not a visa. Separately, the UK has introduced its own ETA from April 2025. With an ETA, travellers can make multiple trips to the UK for up to six months within a two-year period, or until the passport expires.

Who EES applies to (and who it doesn't)

Myth: EES is retribution for Brexit. This is false. EES is an EU-wide effort to automate border control for all non-EU visitors and was planned well before Brexit, with the UK taking part in the planning while it was still a member. It is not aimed at any one country.

Myth: EES applies to everyone, including EU citizens. False again. The system applies only to non-EU citizens — both visa-exempt travellers and other third-country nationals — on short stays. EU citizens and those with long-term visas or residence permits are not affected. Several other groups are also exempt, including people travelling for studies, research, training, pupil exchange, voluntary service, au-pairing or educational projects, as well as certain border-check privilege holders such as cross-border workers and heads of state.

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Fees, delays and data myths

Myth: EES means extra border fees. False. EES itself requires no border fee. When ETIAS is introduced from 2026, travellers from non-EU countries will pay around €20 per person, valid for three years or until the passport expires. Under-18s and over-70s are exempt, as are family members of EU citizens or of non-EU nationals with free-movement rights. The ETIAS fee was recently raised from €7 to €20 and is still under review.

Myth: border crossings will be more complicated. There may be some initial delays as people adapt, but in the long run EES is intended to make crossings smoother by replacing manual stamps and automating biometrics; pre-registration and self-service kiosks are being explored. Your EES record is valid for three years, and during that time you only provide a fingerprint or photo on entry and exit.

Myth: EES records and stores all your personal information. False. EES records only travel and biometric data — facial scans, fingerprints, entry and exit dates, and passport details — not your activities or daily movements. It is governed by strict EU data-protection rules, with clear limits on access, retention and use, and exists to enforce the 90-day short-stay rule. If you are unsure whether any of this applies to your trip, our guide on who needs ETIAS and EES eligibility sets out the details.