EES and ETIAS in 2026: What UK Travellers Need for Europe Now

If you are travelling from the UK to most of Europe in 2026, the big change is already here: the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). It records your fingerprints and a photo the first time you cross an external Schengen border. ETIAS, the online travel authorisation that people often confuse with EES, is not required yet. This guide explains what each one means for UK passport holders, what to expect at the border and how to keep your phone ready for the trip.

Rules can change at short notice, so always check the latest GOV.UK foreign travel advice for each country before you go.

EES and ETIAS: the short answer

• EES is live now. It started rolling out in October 2025 and has been fully operational since April 2026. It replaces passport stamps with a digital record of when you enter and leave.
• ETIAS is not required yet. The EU has not fixed a start date. It is expected in late 2026 at the earliest, and several reports suggest 2027 is more likely.
• You do not need to apply for anything in advance for EES. Your details are taken at the border.
• The 90/180-day rule still applies. UK visitors can generally stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. EES simply makes those days easier for border staff to count.

What the Entry/Exit System means for UK travellers

EES is an automated system that registers non-EU travellers, including British citizens, when they enter or leave the Schengen area for a short stay. Instead of a stamp in your passport, the border system records your name, passport details, the date and place of entry and exit, and your biometric data.

Your first crossing

The first time you travel after EES started, you will be asked to scan your passport, have your photo taken and give your fingerprints. Children under 12 are not required to give fingerprints, but they still have their photo taken. At some ports this happens at a self-service kiosk, at others an officer does it at the desk.

Your record is kept for a set period, so on later trips the check should be quicker: usually a passport scan and either a fingerprint or a photo to confirm it is you.

Build in extra time at Dover, Eurostar and Folkestone

At Dover, the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras and Eurotunnel at Folkestone, French border checks happen in the UK before you leave. That means EES registration also happens there. Queues can build at busy times, especially in school holidays, so follow the operator's advice on arrival times and allow more time than you used to.

• Keep passports for everyone in the car or group easy to reach.
• Check your ferry, rail or tunnel operator's latest guidance the day before you travel.
• If you are flying, registration happens on arrival at your first Schengen airport, so expect some extra time at passport control.

ETIAS: what we know so far

ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be an online pre-travel check for visitors who do not need a visa, including UK citizens. It is not a visa, but once it starts you will need an approved ETIAS before you travel to most EU and Schengen countries.

Here is what has been announced, though details could still change before launch:

• Start date: not fixed. Expect late 2026 at the earliest, with 2027 looking likely according to several reports. The EU has said it will give notice before it becomes mandatory.
• Cost: expected to be about €20.
• Who pays: applicants under 18 and over 70 are expected to be exempt from the fee, though they will still need an authorisation.
• Validity: expected to last three years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner.
• How to apply: online, through the official EU ETIAS website or app, once applications open.

Watch out for ETIAS scam sites

Some websites already claim to sell ETIAS applications, or charge large "processing" fees for forms you can complete yourself. At the time of writing, there is nothing to apply for. When ETIAS opens, apply only through the official EU website, which ends in europa.eu. If a site asks for payment for ETIAS today, do not use it.

Does any of this affect your phone or eSIM?

EES and ETIAS do not change how mobile data works in Europe. They do, however, make it more useful to have data the moment you land or roll off the ferry.

• E-tickets and boarding passes: rail, ferry and attraction tickets are often stored in apps that need a connection to refresh.
• Booking confirmations: border staff can ask where you are staying and when you are leaving. Having your accommodation and return booking to hand saves time.
• Maps and transport: if a long queue changes your plans, you can check trains, taxis and routes straight away.
• Staying in touch: messaging family or a driver to say you are delayed is much easier with data.

A travel eSIM gives you local data rates without relying on your UK network's roaming terms. If you are visiting more than one country, a regional Europe eSIM covers several countries on one plan, so you do not need a new eSIM at each border. For a single country, you can pick a plan for that destination, for example France.

Our guide to eSIMs for Brits travelling to Europe covers choosing a plan in more detail.

A simple pre-trip checklist for Europe

• Check your passport meets the Schengen rules: issued less than 10 years before the day you enter, and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.
• Read the GOV.UK travel advice for every country on your route.
• Do not pay for ETIAS until the EU announces it is open, and then use only the official site.
• Allow extra time at the border for your first EES registration.
• Save tickets and booking confirmations in your phone and, ideally, offline too.
• Check your phone supports eSIM on our device compatibility page.
• Install your eSIM before you leave and set your phone up correctly using our dual SIM settings guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need ETIAS to visit Europe right now?

No. As of October 2026, ETIAS has not started and there is nothing to apply for. Check the official EU ETIAS website and GOV.UK for the confirmed start date.

Do I need to register for EES before I travel?

No. EES registration happens at the border. You give your fingerprints and have your photo taken the first time you cross, and later trips should be quicker.

Will EES apply to my children?

Yes, children are registered too. Under-12s are not asked for fingerprints, but their photo is taken.

How much will ETIAS cost?

It is expected to cost about €20, with under-18s and over-70s exempt from the fee. The final details will be confirmed by the EU when it launches.

Does EES apply to Ireland?

No. Ireland is not in the Schengen area and does not use EES. Travel between the UK and Ireland is covered by the Common Travel Area.

Can I use a travel eSIM alongside my UK SIM?

Yes, on most modern phones. Keep your UK SIM for calls and texts and use the eSIM for data. Check your phone on our compatibility page before you buy.