Travel rules between the UK and Europe are entering another transition phase in 2025. The UK is widening ETA coverage while the EU prepares ETIAS and EES, making pre-trip checks increasingly important.
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.
As the UK prepares to roll out its Electronic Travel Authorisation for European travellers, leading figures in the travel industry are pushing back — warning that introducing multiple border systems at once could cause widespread confusion.
When ETIAS launches, you will not need to submit the application yourself. A trusted person or travel agent can do it on your behalf — but there are important safeguards to follow.
When ETIAS launches, you will not need to submit the application yourself. A trusted person or travel agent can do it on your behalf — but there are important safeguards to follow.
ETIAS applications can be completed by a travel agent, friend or relative, but the traveller remains responsible for the information submitted. The official rules focus on trust, written authorisation and transparency over fees.
The EU's new Entry/Exit System will change how non-EU travellers cross Schengen borders. Here is what the EES means, who it affects and why launch delays were still being discussed.
Europe is moving toward a new pre-travel authorization system for many non-EU visitors. ETIAS is not a visa, but it will add a mandatory online step before short trips to the Schengen Area.
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.
In August 2024, European Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed that the Entry/Exit System was on track for a November 2024 start, with ETIAS to follow six months later. This article reflects the reporting at that time — note that the EES eventually launched in October 2025 and the ETIAS fee was confirmed at €20, not the €7 cited here.