The European Union is rolling out two new border initiatives, the Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS, that will change how visa-free travellers enter 30 European countries. Here is a plain-language summary of what each one does and when it applies.
The European Union launched its Entry/Exit System in October 2025, with full implementation for British travellers anticipated by April 2026 and the ETIAS permit due to follow. Here is a quick guide to the key dates and what they mean.
The EU's Entry/Exit System launched on 12 October 2025, with full implementation for British travellers anticipated by 10 April 2026. ETIAS will follow later, becoming mandatory around 2027.
The EU's Entry/Exit System began phasing in from October 2025 and has already caused long queues and delays. Here is where the rollout stands and how travellers can make the process easier.
The UK is now enforcing its Electronic Travel Authorisation for visitors from 85 nationalities, with a grace period ending on 25 February 2026. The permit costs £16, is linked to your passport, and does not by itself guarantee entry.
Europe is changing how it welcomes visitors in 2026, with new biometric border checks, rising tourist taxes and a firmer line on bad behaviour. Here is a complete guide to the rules travellers need to know before they go.
Japan is preparing to raise its international departure tax and long-frozen visa fees in 2026, while cities such as Kyoto introduce higher accommodation taxes. Here is what travellers should budget for a trip to Japan in 2026.
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) began a phased rollout on 12 October 2025, replacing manual passport stamps with biometric registration for non-EU travellers. Here is what frequent business travellers need to know before their next trip to Europe.
From 12 October, the way every non-EU citizen crosses the bloc's external border begins to change as the long-delayed Entry/Exit System starts operating. Here is a clear guide to what the biometric checks involve and where they apply.
How all non-EU citizens, including British visitors, travel to and from the bloc began to change when the EU's long-delayed biometric Entry/Exit System started operations. Here is a clear guide to what changes and why.