What travellers need to know ahead of major eu entry and exit change in october

FROM OCTOBER 2025, UK TRAVELLERS WILL SEE SOME CHANGES WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN EU COUNTRIES INCLUDING SPAIN, FRANCE, GREECE, ITALY AND PORTUGAL 12:00, 01 Jun 2025 UK travellers are being warned

about major changes starting later this year in EU countries. Anyone heading to areas in the Schengen zone, including popular holiday destinations like Spain, France, Portugal, Greece,

Holland and Italy, will be affected by these changes. The EU plans to introduce an Entry/Exit system (EES). This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British

nationals travelling to the Schengen area. If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you will need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints

or a photo, when you arrive. EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU. The UK Foreign Office says: "EES is

expected to start in October 2025. It is not currently in operation. The European Union will inform about the specific start date of the EES before its launch." So what exactly will

change for anyone going to the EU from the UK? And which countries will it apply to? We have summarised all the details below. IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO THE SCHENGEN AREA When EES is

introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have

your photo taken at dedicated booths. Article continues below You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country. If you are flying to a country in the

Schengen area, you may experience longer queue times when you arrive at your destination. At some ports and international stations (Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras), there may be increased

wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK. If you are travelling through one of these stations, you should check with your travel operator to find out

whether EES will affect your journey. Your digital record is valid for three years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or

photo at the border, when you enter and exit. WHICH COUNTRIES ARE IN THE SCHENGEN AREA? The countries in the Schengen area are: * Austria * Belgium * Bulgaria * Croatia * Czech Republic *

Denmark * Estonia * Finland * France * Germany * Greece * Hungary * Iceland * Italy * Latvia * Liechtenstein * Lithuania * Luxembourg * Malta * Netherlands * Norway * Poland * Portugal *

Romania * Slovakia * Slovenia * Spain * Sweden * Switzerland Article continues below WHAT IS ETIAS AND WHEN WILL IT START? Aside from the Entry/Exit system, in the last quarter of 2026, the

EU is expected to start operations of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). No action is required from travellers at this point. The European Union will

inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS before its launch. When ETIAS is introduced, you will need to apply for authorisation to enter Schengen area countries if using a UK

passport. You will need to provide personal information and details about your trip, and pay a 7 Euro fee, as part of the authorisation process. The EU has already set out more information

on ETIAS, including what information will be required from each nationality, on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.