The EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) has sparked widespread confusion among travellers. From insurance requirements to visa myths and data privacy concerns — here is what you really need to know before crossing EU borders.
A broad coalition from Europe’s tourism and travel sector is challenging the European Commission’s proposal to raise the ETIAS fee from €7 to €20. The group says the increase is disproportionate and calls for a transparent impact assessment before any decision is finalised.
A broad coalition from Europe’s tourism and travel sector is challenging the European Commission’s proposal to raise the ETIAS fee from €7 to €20. The group says the increase is disproportionate and calls for a transparent impact assessment before any decision is finalised.
The European Commission wants to increase the planned ETIAS authorization fee from €7 to €20 for visa-free travelers visiting most of Europe for short stays. The move is designed to support the EU budget, but the proposal still needs political approval before it can take effect.
The ETIAS application fee is set to increase from EUR 7 to EUR 20 before the system's launch in 2026.
The European Commission says the Entry/Exit System is foreseen for October 2025 after earlier delays. Operators at Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel say they are preparing infrastructure, but uncertainty over the exact launch date keeps queue concerns in focus.
The European Commission says the Entry/Exit System is foreseen for October 2025 after earlier delays. Operators at Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel say they are preparing infrastructure, but uncertainty over the exact launch date keeps queue concerns in focus.
The EU's ETIAS system has been pushed back again and is now expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026. For visa-exempt travellers, that means more time before the new pre-travel authorisation becomes part of entering the Schengen Area.
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.
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.