Search results for: "free travel"

Schengen remains one of the EU's clearest achievements, combining passport-free travel with shared border standards and cross-border security tools.

Gibraltar will not join Schengen -- but a new UK-EU deal creates a fluid border with Spain, dual border checks at the airport, and potential new flight routes across Europe.

At their October 2025 meeting, EU home affairs ministers took stock of the Schengen area just days after the Entry/Exit System entered into force. The discussion linked the live rollout of EES with the next wave of border technology, including ETIAS and the updated Eurodac system.

As the EU's Entry/Exit System approached launch, one point stood out: not every Schengen country would begin at the same level of readiness. Estonia's full preparation made it an important signal of how the first phase of rollout would work in practice.

The EU will start rolling out the Entry/Exit System (EES) from 12 October 2025, with full deployment expected by 10 April 2026. ETIAS is expected in late 2026 and the travel authorisation fee is set to rise to €20.

The European Commission wants to increase the planned ETIAS authorization fee from €7 to €20 for visa-free travelers visiting most of Europe for short stays. The move is designed to support the EU budget, but the proposal still needs political approval before it can take effect.

ETIAS is not yet operational, but preparations are underway. Discover the transitional and grace periods that will guide visa-free travellers entering the 30 European countries.

Singapore retains its crown as the world's most powerful passport, but Finland has made a stunning leap to second place — overtaking Spain. Discover which countries dominate the latest ranking and what's driving these shifts.

The EU common visa policy establishes harmonized entry conditions for the Schengen area while adapting to geopolitical changes through visa facilitation and suspension mechanisms. Discover how digitalisation and ETIAS integration are reshaping travel security.

A valid ETIAS is required for many visa-free travellers, but it is not a guarantee of admission at the border. Entry still depends on travel document checks, border questions and compliance with the rules for short stays.