Big Changes Coming For UK Travellers To Europe

Written By Rohan Pawar

From October 12, 2025, the EU will finally launch its new Entry/Exit System (EES) at Schengen borders (that’s most of Europe, plus Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland – but not Ireland).

👉 What it means:

  • On your first trip, you’ll use a kiosk to scan your passport, give fingerprints, and a facial scan.

  • For 6 months (until April 9, 2026) you’ll still get your passport stamped too = extra red tape.

  • By April 2026, the system will be fully digital, and passport stamps will end.

Then in October 2026, another step comes in: ETIAS, a €20 (£17) online travel permit (similar to the US ESTA). It’ll be valid for 3 years or until your passport expires.

So in short: extra checks from 2025, all-digital by 2026, and a small fee to travel after that.

Rohan Pawar
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