By spring 2025, the story around the EU's Entry/Exit System had shifted from a missed launch date to a phased implementation plan. ABTA's practical message was that businesses and travellers still needed to prepare, but they also needed to understand that the system would not switch on everywhere at once.
Spain remains one of Europe's top summer destinations, but 2025 brings tighter entry checks, changing tourist taxes and stricter local conduct rules. Here is a clear guide to what travellers should prepare before arriving.
The EU is upgrading how Schengen external borders work, including the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). If you travel visa-free, these changes will shape border checks and advance screening.
Many British travellers still focus on ETIAS headlines and overlook the rules already in force. In practice, passport age, remaining validity, short-stay limits and supporting documents are the details most likely to disrupt a trip today.
European travel in 2025 comes with more rules, fees and capacity controls. From Spain's tighter rental policies to new taxes in major destinations, travellers should plan ahead to avoid unexpected costs and access restrictions.
The UK is preparing to increase the cost of its Electronic Travel Authorisation from £10 to £16, while exempting some transit passengers. The proposed change has triggered concern across the travel industry and could affect how visitors plan UK trips in 2025.
Airlines are warning that the UK's planned ETA fee increase could make the country less competitive for international visitors. The criticism comes just as the new digital travel permission is being introduced more widely.
IATA has publicly opposed the UK's plan to raise the ETA fee by 60% only days after the system's wider introduction. The group says the move clashes with tourism growth goals and adds another cost on top of existing air travel taxes.
Bulgaria and Romania have achieved full Schengen membership with the removal of land border checks, while EU ministers address evolving migration and security frameworks.
The EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System is expected to begin rolling out in 2025, changing how many non-EU visitors cross Schengen borders. Here is what travellers should know about eligibility, border checks and the phased launch.