From 12 October 2025, British tourists heading to the EU faced new biometric border checks under the Entry/Exit System, with full rollout expected by April 2026. Travellers also needed proof of insurance, funds and accommodation — and from 2026 an ETIAS authorisation too.
From October 2025, British travellers face several significant changes at Europe's borders as the EU's Entry/Exit System begins. Here is what to expect at airports, ports and land crossings.
Europe's travel and tourism industry has pushed back against a European Commission plan to raise the ETIAS fee from €7 to €20 per application. The coalition calls the proposal disproportionate and is demanding a transparent impact assessment before any decision is taken.
Europe's travel and tourism sector has pushed back on the European Commission's proposal to nearly triple the ETIAS fee from €7 to €20, calling it disproportionate and poorly justified. Here is what the industry is asking for.
The EU has set 12 October 2025 as the start of a phased rollout for the Entry/Exit System (EES), with full operation expected by 10 April 2026. ETIAS is due to follow in late 2026, and its fee is rising from €7 to €20.
Visitors travelling to the United States on a non-immigrant visa face a new $250 "visa integrity fee" introduced under President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Visa-waiver travellers are exempt, but the separate ESTA charge is also rising.
The much-delayed Entry/Exit System will start applying to UK travellers on 12 October 2025, the EU has confirmed. The first six months will mix biometric and analogue checks before full operation on 10 April 2026, with the new ETIAS fee set to almost treble to €20.
On 18 July 2025 the European Union adopted its 18th package of sanctions against Russia after Slovakia dropped its opposition. On the same busy day in Brussels, the Commission proposed tripling the planned ETIAS travel-authorisation fee to €20.
The European Union formally adopted its 18th package of sanctions against Russia on 18 July 2025, after Slovakia dropped its objections in return for gas-supply guarantees. On the very same day, the Commission proposed almost tripling the ETIAS travel-authorisation fee to €20.
Every summer, some British travellers are turned away from their flights over post-Brexit passport rules. With renewals running at about two weeks, a quick check now can save a ruined holiday later.