Upcoming Changes for Travel to Europe in 2026

EES is being phased in, and the practical effects depend on how and where you travel

ABTA's guidance makes clear that the EU Entry/Exit System is no longer theoretical. It started in October 2025 and is being introduced in stages until full operation in April 2026. It applies to short-stay travellers from third countries, including most UK visitors, and replaces passport stamping with a system that records entries, exits and biometric data. That also means your experience may differ depending on the border point, whether you are flying, taking the train, driving through Dover, or joining a cruise itinerary.

Travellers should pay attention to exemptions, timing and special travel scenarios

The system does not affect every traveller in the same way. Irish passport holders are exempt, and British passport holders with EU residency are also outside the standard EES process. Children still need to be processed, even though those under 12 are not expected to provide fingerprints. ABTA also highlights practical differences for school groups, cruise passengers and travellers using juxtaposed border controls in places such as Dover and St Pancras, where checks may happen before departure rather than after arrival.

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ETIAS comes later, and official channels matter

ETIAS is a separate travel authorisation that the EU is looking to introduce later in 2026. When that system eventually opens, travellers will need to apply through the official EU route rather than through third-party sites claiming to sell approvals early. ABTA specifically warns that ETIAS is not live yet and that unofficial websites can overcharge travellers or misuse personal information. For now, the most useful preparation is to understand the EES rollout, keep documentation ready and wait for verified ETIAS launch details.