Brits travelling to 29 countries urged to plan ahead as 'change is coming'

Brits heading to Europe have been warned of major changes at the border. A new Entry/Exit System (EES) for nationals from outside the European Union is due to begin on October 12. The registration system applies to those travelling for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

The following countries in Europe will use the new system: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. It applies to any non-EU nationals who either need a short stay visa to travel to participating countries as well as those who don't require one. There are some exemptions, including for non-EU nationals who have a residence card and are directly related to an EU national.

Brussels maintains the EES will make border checks more efficient and travel across borders easier and quicker. It also insists the new system will boost security and help keep tabs on who goes in and out of the EU's Schengen Area, where passport-free travel is allowed.

Independent travel adviser, Gilly Bachelor, told the Daily Express Brits will need to be aware of the new rules and plan ahead.

She said: "If people are heading to Europe for some sun this winter, then they will need to build in more time."

Ms Bachelor explained when first arriving at a border once the EES is launched, you will be asked to provide personal data.

Passport control officers will scan your fingerprints or take a photo of your face. The process can be sped up a bit by registering some of the details beforehand.

This might involve entering your data at a self-service machine where available or via an app, if this is available in the country of your arrival or departure. Ms Bachelor said that for children under 12 only a photo will be required.

Once your photo or fingerprints are in the system, passport control will only need to verify them, which, in theory, means crossing a border won't take so long.

Holders of e-passports will be able to enter using self-service gates if these are available. To identify an e-passport, look for a small, gold camera-shaped logo on the front cover of your passport.

Ms Bachelor said while EES is imminent, the EU is also due to introduce a new travel authorisation system in 2026.

While the exact start date has yet to be confirmed, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is set to launch at some point over the last three months of next year.

ETIAS is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of 30 European countries and is linked to your passport.

It will be valid for up to three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation along with it.

A valid ETIAS travel authorisation will allow non-EU nationals to enter the same European countries as under the EES system as often as they want for short-term stays.

It doesn't guarantee entry so when arriving at a border a guard will still ask to see a passport and other documents to make sure entry conditions are met.

To apply, you will need a valid travel document to which a visa can be attached. The document should not expire in less than three months and it shouldn't be older than 10 years.

It will cost £17.30 (20 euros at the current exchange rate) and can be paid online. Applicants who are under 18 or over 70 won't have to pay.

Ms Bachelor said: "From late 2026, if you're going to Europe you need ETIAS. When it comes in, 60 million trips will be impacted by it. A lot of people aren't aware of it either."

She warned anyone who has struggled to get a visa waiver from another country may have similar problems entering Europe.

The travel expert added: "If you think this might be you, you will need to sort this out long before you get to the airport. If you've already booked a trip and you think there might be any reason you may not get ETIAS, you may want to consider postponing your booking.

"However, the majority of people will have no issue. But this is a really important change and it's coming."