European visitors who do not need a visa now have to obtain a UK ETA before travelling. The system extends Britain’s pre-travel screening model and places new document-check duties on airlines, ferry operators and rail carriers.
A further delay to ETIAS does not mean easier travel to Europe in the meantime. The more immediate change is the phased Entry/Exit System, which is likely to bring extra checks, continued passport stamping and longer queues before ETIAS ever becomes compulsory.
The UK is ramping up preparations for the EU's new Entry/Exit System, with fresh funding, new kiosks and added staffing at key departure points. Travellers should still expect extra processing time when the system goes live on 10 November.
Before the planned 2024 launch of the EU's Entry/Exit System, ABTA's message was clear: travellers needed to expect a new border routine, not just another headline. The biggest early change was the first-time registration process, which was expected to slow some crossings before the system settled in.
The EU’s long-planned Entry/Exit System is meant to modernize border control, but travel industry groups say uncertainty, weak public awareness and operational risks could still delay the rollout and disrupt tourism.
A new EU border regime is set to change how non-EU travellers enter France. For Britons with family, property or frequent stays across the Channel, the impact could extend far beyond a few extra minutes at passport control.
When ETIAS starts, airlines and sea carriers will need to confirm that visa-exempt passengers hold a valid authorisation before departure. Coach operators have a longer transition, but travellers across all modes can still face boarding refusals or border checks if ETIAS is missing.
When ETIAS starts, airlines and sea carriers will need to confirm that visa-exempt passengers hold a valid authorisation before departure. Coach operators have a longer transition, but travellers across all modes can still face boarding refusals or border checks if ETIAS is missing.
In February 2024, IATA described EES and ETIAS as a major operational change for airlines, not just a policy update for travellers. The industry body focused on system scope, manual checks and transition periods that could complicate boarding decisions.
The Council's 2018 adoption of the ETIAS regulation created the legal basis for the EU's planned pre-travel screening system. It clarified who would need an authorisation, how applications would be checked and why approval would still not guarantee entry.