Behind the EU's border and security systems sits a Council body that coordinates how member states exchange information. Here is what the Working Party on JHA Information Exchange does and why it matters.
The EU and its member states are reinforcing the external borders of the Schengen area through a combination of a dedicated agency and large-scale IT systems. Here is how the main pieces fit together.
British citizens who also hold a foreign passport can no longer simply use that document to enter the UK. With full ETA enforcement now in place, here is what changed and the practical options for dual nationals.
One of the most important pre-trip tasks is making sure your passport is valid for your travel dates and renewed in good time. ABTA's guidance reads as a clear checklist covering validity, renewals, visa-free limits and the EU's ETIAS.
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.
Lorry drivers from Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro and North Macedonia threatened to blockade Schengen frontiers over the EU's Entry/Exit System, casting a spotlight on how the digital border could shape summer queues.
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.
At the start of 2026, ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer set out five challenges the travel sector must meet head-on, from the EU's new border systems to pricing rules and the rise of AI. Several, he argued, are also opportunities for growth.