The UK has expanded its ETA requirement to visa-exempt travellers from 55 countries, making pre-travel authorization a key step before departure. For many passengers, including some in transit scenarios, early document checks are now essential for smooth travel.
European visitors who do not need a visa now have to obtain a UK ETA before travelling. The system extends Britain’s pre-travel screening model and places new document-check duties on airlines, ferry operators and rail carriers.
A UK-EU summit agreement on 20 May 2025 confirmed there are no longer legal barriers to Britons using e-gates at EU borders after EES launches. The practical change, however, will not arrive until October at the earliest.
The Guardian issued a correction in July 2025 confirming that the ETIAS visa waiver will cost €20 when it is introduced, not the €7 figure cited in earlier reporting. This article explains what the €20 fee covers, who is exempt, and when the system is expected to go live.
As the UK prepares to roll out its Electronic Travel Authorisation for European travellers, leading figures in the travel industry are pushing back — warning that introducing multiple border systems at once could cause widespread confusion.
The UK is ramping up preparations for the EU's new Entry/Exit System, with fresh funding, new kiosks and added staffing at key departure points. Travellers should still expect extra processing time when the system goes live on 10 November.
Europe is moving toward a new pre-travel authorization system for many non-EU visitors. ETIAS is not a visa, but it will add a mandatory online step before short trips to the Schengen Area.
The UK is preparing to increase the cost of its Electronic Travel Authorisation from £10 to £16, while exempting some transit passengers. The proposed change has triggered concern across the travel industry and could affect how visitors plan UK trips in 2025.
European travel in 2025 comes with more rules, fees and capacity controls. From Spain's tighter rental policies to new taxes in major destinations, travellers should plan ahead to avoid unexpected costs and access restrictions.
Gibraltar will not join Schengen -- but a new UK-EU deal creates a fluid border with Spain, dual border checks at the airport, and potential new flight routes across Europe.