Changes for travel to the European Union
The European Union is introducing two important changes for travel to Europe. These are below;
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The European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) which is due to come into force from 10 November 2024 and the
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), by May 2025.
If you are travelling this summer, these changes won’t yet be in place, so there is nothing you need to do.
However, if you are planning to travel later this year or next year, we’ve provided some guidance on what you need to know about the upcoming changes.
European Union Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) – from 10 November 2024
The European Union Entry/Exit system is a new electronic system that will replace the physical stamping of passports when you go through passport control when arriving in and departing from your destination. It will register all entries and exits to and from the participating European countries, which basically means it will register your movements every time you cross a border in or out of the EU/Schengen area.
Once the new system is live, when you go through passport control on your arrival to, and departure from your destination, as well as providing your passport you will also need to have a photo of your face taken, and your fingerprints scanned.
The European Union Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) is due to be introduced on 10 November 2024.
Who will it apply to?
It will apply to those travelling for a short stay, from what the European Union call a third country. This is people who are not an European Union citizen or a citizen of the Schengen area. So it will apply to most people travelling from the United Kingdom.
A short stay refers to visits, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period. The vast majority of travel between the UK and Europe will be classed as a short stay.
Irish passport holders are exempt from the European Union Entry/Exit Scheme (EES)
If you are a British passport holder but have European Union residency, you are also exempt from EES.
Which countries will it apply to?
When the European Union Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) comes in, these are the countries that will be using it:
Austria Estonia Iceland Malta Slovakia
Belgium Finland Italy Netherlands Slovenia
Bulgaria France Latvia Norway Spain
Croatia Germany Liechtenstein Poland Sweden
Czech Republic Greece Lithuania Portugal Switzerland
Denmark Hungary Luxembourg Romania
In Cyprus and Ireland, despite being countries of the European Union, passports are still stamped manually.
Travelling via the Port of Dover or international train (London St Pancras and Folkestone)
In most cases, the European Union Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) checks will take place in Europe – when you arrive at your destination airport or port, and when you leave at the end of your trip.
However, if you are departing via the Port of Dover or via international train from the United Kingdom (London St Pancras and Folkestone), then these checks will happen when going through the passport control in the United Kingdom, on your departure.
This is because there is a dual border – both British and French borders – at these locations.
However, you won’t need to do these checks again when you arrive on the other side.
More information on the European Union Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) can be found here when the system statrs
European Union Entry/Exit Scheme (EES)
European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) – expected by May 2025
The European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) is the European Union’s new travel authorisation which you will need to apply for ahead of your travels to the 30 European countries listed below once the system is introduced. It is a similar concept to the USA’s ESTA and the United Kingdom’s ETA scheme.
It is due to be introduced by May 2025, but there is not yet an exact date as to when it will come into force. This means you do not need to have a European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) for travel to Europe at the moment.
When implemented, travellers will be able to apply for a European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) by the official website – www.europa.eu/etias.
As the system is not live yet, the website itself is not live or taking applications, so you cannot yet get an official European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS)
Any websites claiming to offer this are false.
Who will it apply to?
When the system is up and running by May 2025, visa-exempt travellers from third countries will need to apply for a European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) . Put simply, if you are travelling to the European Union for a short stay and are not a citizen of a European Union or Schengen country, then you will need a European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) .
If you are travelling on a non-United Kingdom passport you will need to check if you require a European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) or a visa to go to Europe.
A short stay refers to visits, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period.
If you are travelling on a visa, you don’t need a European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) visa
Irish passport holders are exempt from ETIAS. If you are a British passport holder but have European Union residency you also don’t need a European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) visa.
Which countries will it apply to?
These are the countries that travellers will need an ETIAs visa to enter, once European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) comes in:
Austria Denmark Hungary Luxembourg Romania
Belgium Estonia Iceland Malta Slovakia
Bulgaria Finland Italy Netherlands Slovenia
Croatia France Latvia Norway Spain
Cyprus Germany Liechtenstein Poland Sweden
Czech Republic Greece Lithuania Portugal Switzerland
You will not need an ETIAS when travelling to Ireland, as this is part of the Common Travel Area.
How much will a European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) visa cost?
European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) visas will only cost €7 (equivalent to around £6). ETIAS is free for those under the age of 18 and aged 71 and over. Once ETIAS is live, certain travellers may be exempt.
How long will the European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) be valid for?
European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) lasts for three years. You will be able to travel on multiple trips during this period using the same ETIAS.
However, if your passport expires during the ETIAS validity period, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS.
It will also not be valid if it expires during your stay, in these cases you would need to apply for a new ETIAS in advance of your travels, to cover the duration of your stay.
How to apply
There is one official website to apply for an European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) is not currently operational, applications via the website are not yet live.
You will need to do one application for each traveller, so if you are a parent applying for a child, they would need a separate application to your own.
You do have the option for someone to make an application on your behalf. If you want to do that, you will need to submit a form to show you give permission. More information will be available here – Applying on behalf of others - European Union (europa.eu)
What information do I need to provide?
For each application you will need to provide:
Personal information including name(s), date and place of birth, sex, nationality, home address, email address and phone number(s);
Parents’ first name(s);
Passport/travel document details;
Level of education and current occupation;
Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) ;
Details about any past criminal convictions, past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been the subject of an extradition.
You should make sure that the details on your European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) match that of your passport, if they don’t your ETIAS will not be valid and you will not be able to travel. If you are applying on behalf of someone else, then there may be additional information you need to provide.
Fake websites offering European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS)
There are currently more than 60 unofficial websites offering ETIAS, despite the system not yet being live. Don’t use an unofficial website: there’s the risk that you will be overcharged, that you won’t get an European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) and that your personal information could be stolen.
Don't worry, our Travel Experts will assist customers who have bookings through Westoe Travel.
Unfortunately we will be unable to assist passengers who have not booked through Westoe Travel
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