Latest news with #EES
Local France
6 hours ago
- Local France
EU reveals (latest) start date for EES biometric passport checks
It's been delayed several times before, but we now have the new start date for the EES border control system. According to the latest European Commission report , the system will come into effect on October 12th, 2025. However due to concerns about readiness, the introduction will be phased, with the system set to become compulsory at all the EU/Schengen zone's entry and exit points within six months of that date - taking us to April 2026. The EES website tells travellers: "European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means your data may not be collected at every border crossing point right away." Advertisement There had been concerns about readiness, especially at the busy UK-France crossing, where bosses at the Port of Dover had warned of long delays. This will be followed by the introduction of the ETIAS travel authorisation which is currently set for the final quarter of 2026. As The Local reported last week , the initial €7 fee for the ETIAS travel authorisation will now be €20. Remind me, what's EES again? The Entry & Exit System is basically an enhanced passport check in which travellers will have to provide fingerprints and a facial scan. The purpose of the system is twofold: to increase border security via tougher passport controls and to digitise travellers' entry and exit dates from the Schengen zone, to automatically calculate the 90-day allowance for visa-free travel that citizens of non-EU countries including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia benefit from. These checks will only occur when entering or leaving the Schengen zone, and will not be required when travelling within the zone, eg from France to Germany. Only those travelling on a non-EU passport are required to use the EES system, and there are also exemptions for non-EU citizens resident of an EU or Schengen zone country. Find full details here . READ ALSO How EES border checks will impact flight passengers✎ How EES will change your Eurostar journey✎ What does EES mean for cross-Channel ferry trips?✎ And what's ETIAS? ETIAS is a travel authorisation that is required for people travelling on non-EU passports who are making short visits to the EU/Schengen zone - this will mostly affect tourists, but also those paying short visits including family visits. Second-home owners who do not have a visa will be required to have an ETIAS authorisation. Anyone who is travelling to the EU with a visa is not required to get an ETIAS authorisation must be applied for online in advance of travel - the system is essentially the same as the US Esta visa or the UK's new ETA. Advertisement The ETIAS costs €20 and is then valid for three years. Under 18s and over 70s are exempt from the fee. Find full details here .
Local Germany
10 hours ago
- Local Germany
EU reveals (latest) start date for EES biometric passport checks
It's been delayed several times before, but we now have the new start date for the EES border control system. According to the latest European Commission report , the system will come into effect on October 12th, 2025. However due to concerns about readiness, the introduction will be phased, with the system set to become compulsory at all the EU/Schengen zone's entry and exit points within six months of that date - taking us to April 2026. The EES website tells travellers: "European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means your data may not be collected at every border crossing point right away." Advertisement There had been concerns about readiness, especially at the busy UK-France crossing, where bosses at the Port of Dover had warned of long delays. This will be followed by the introduction of the ETIAS travel authorisation which is currently set for the final quarter of 2026. As The Local reported last week , the initial €7 fee for the ETIAS travel authorisation will now be €20. Remind me, what's EES again? The Entry & Exit System is basically an enhanced passport check in which travellers will have to provide fingerprints and a facial scan. The purpose of the system is twofold: to increase border security via tougher passport controls and to digitise travellers' entry and exit dates from the Schengen zone, to automatically calculate the 90-day allowance for visa-free travel that citizens of non-EU countries including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia benefit from. These checks will only occur when entering or leaving the Schengen zone, and will not be required when travelling within the zone, eg from France to Germany. Only those travelling on a non-EU passport are required to use the EES system, and there are also exemptions for non-EU citizens resident of an EU or Schengen zone country. Find full details here . And what's ETIAS? ETIAS is a travel authorisation that is required for people travelling on non-EU passports who are making short visits to the EU/Schengen zone - this will mostly affect tourists, but also those paying short visits including family visits. Second-home owners who do not have a visa will be required to have an ETIAS authorisation. Anyone who is travelling to the EU with a visa is not required to get an ETIAS authorisation must be applied for online in advance of travel - the system is essentially the same as the US Esta visa or the UK's new ETA. Advertisement The ETIAS costs €20 and is then valid for three years. Under 18s and over 70s are exempt from the fee. Find full details here .
Local Spain
10 hours ago
- Local Spain
EU reveals (latest) start date for EES biometric passport checks
It's been delayed several times before, but we now have the new start date for the EES border control system. According to the latest European Commission report, the system will come into effect on October 12th, 2025. However due to concerns about readiness, the introduction will be phased, with the system set to become compulsory at all the EU/Schengen zone's entry and exit points within six months of that date - taking us to April 2026. The EES website tells travellers: "European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means your data may not be collected at every border crossing point right away." There had been concerns about readiness, especially at the busy UK-France crossing, where bosses at the Port of Dover had warned of long delays. This will be followed by the introduction of the ETIAS travel authorisation which is currently set for the final quarter of 2026. As The Local reported last week, the initial €7 fee for the ETIAS travel authorisation will now be €20. Remind me, what's EES again? The Entry & Exit System is basically an enhanced passport check in which travellers will have to provide fingerprints and a facial scan. The purpose of the system is twofold: to increase border security via tougher passport controls and to digitise travellers' entry and exit dates from the Schengen zone, to automatically calculate the 90-day allowance for visa-free travel that citizens of non-EU countries including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia benefit from. These checks will only occur when entering or leaving the Schengen zone, and will not be required when travelling within the zone, eg from France to Germany. Only those travelling on a non-EU passport are required to use the EES system, and there are also exemptions for non-EU citizens resident of an EU or Schengen zone country. Find full details here. And what's ETIAS? ETIAS is a travel authorisation that is required for people travelling on non-EU passports who are making short visits to the EU/Schengen zone - this will mostly affect tourists, but also those paying short visits including family visits. Second-home owners who do not have a visa will be required to have an ETIAS authorisation. Anyone who is travelling to the EU with a visa is not required to get an ETIAS authorisation must be applied for online in advance of travel - the system is essentially the same as the US Esta visa or the UK's new ETA. Find full details here.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Date set: Europe's much-delayed entry-exit system to begin
Europe 's Entry-Exit System (EES) is scheduled to begin for some UK travellers to the EU on 12 October 2025. The EES aims to digitise border crossings, monitor non-EU citizens, identify suspected criminals, and enforce the 90-day stay limit within 180 days. British passport holders will need to provide fingerprints and facial biometrics, with children under 12 exempt from fingerprint requirements. The system will have a phased implementation until 9 April 2026, becoming fully operational at all external border crossings from 10 April 2026. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) is now expected to start between October and December 2026, with its fee increasing from €7 to €20.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
EU issues major border update for UK travellers
The European Union 's Entry-Exit System (EES) is scheduled to begin for some UK travellers to the EU on 12 October 2025. The EES will digitise border crossings, requiring British passport holders to provide fingerprints and facial biometrics. Children under 12 will be exempt from fingerprinting. The system will undergo a phased implementation until 9 April 2026, during which some border points will require biometrics while others remain analogue. Meanwhile, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) is confirmed to commence operations in the last quarter of 2026. The fee for the Etias 'euro-visa' has been officially increased from €7 to €20, with exemptions for those under 18, over 70, and certain family members of EU citizens.
