Travellers heading to Europe and the Schengen Zone in the European Union will have their passport stamped in addition to their biometrics taken.
UK tourists flying to Europe face two airport changes including £17 charge
UK tourists flying to Europe face two changes for including an increased £17 charge. Travellers heading to Europe and the Schengen Zone in the European Union will have their passport stamped in addition to their biometrics taken.
There will be a staggered roll-out of the delayed Entry/Exit System (EES), which will still require passports to be stamped as well as biometrics taken for at least a year.
The EES was originally due to implemented on November 10, 2024, but was postponed a month prior as it became clear that member states and the central database were not ready. Once introduced, EES is set to replace the requirement of stamping passports.
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And from next year, UK tourists travelling to Europe will have to start paying for authorisation to enter as well and this is where the ETIAS will come into play. This is a document for visa-exempt travellers to Europe, like Britons.
While it was originally proposed to cost just €7 (£6), it now looks likely to cost €20 (£17.30) from its implementation date in late 2026.
According to The Independent, Brussels has proposed “a progressive start of operations of the EES,” stating: “This would give border authorities and the transport industry more time to adjust to the new procedures.”
By April 2026, the roll-out of EES should be complete, and only once it runs without fault across the continent will passports stop being stamped. Later, in October (or potentially later), Etias may finally come into play. The EU said: “Etias is expected to follow in the last quarter of 2026.” However, for the first six months it will be optional.
When introduced, any British traveller or other “third-party national” will require an Etias, which will cost €7 (£6), and by October 2027 (or later), Etias will be fully compulsory.
However, there will be a concession that travellers without one will, on their first attempt to enter the Schengen Area, be allowed in.