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.
The EU is introducing two new border management tools that will change how visitors travel to Europe: ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System. Both strengthen European security, but they operate in very different ways.
When ETIAS starts, airlines and sea carriers will need to confirm that visa-exempt passengers hold a valid authorisation before departure. Coach operators have a longer transition, but travellers across all modes can still face boarding refusals or border checks if ETIAS is missing.
EU Home Affairs Ministers have endorsed a revised rollout plan for two major travel systems. The Entry/Exit System will go live in October 2025, while the European Travel Information and Authorisation System will launch in late 2026, supported by transitional and grace periods.
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 EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System is expected to begin rolling out in 2025, changing how many non-EU visitors cross Schengen borders. Here is what travellers should know about eligibility, border checks and the phased launch.
The EU's ETIAS system has been pushed back again and is now expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026. For visa-exempt travellers, that means more time before the new pre-travel authorisation becomes part of entering the Schengen Area.
European travel organisations are urging EU policymakers to rethink the planned ETIAS fee increase from €7 to €20, arguing that the move would add cost pressure for travellers without a sufficiently clear justification.
The EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) has sparked widespread confusion among travellers. From insurance requirements to visa myths and data privacy concerns — here is what you really need to know before crossing EU borders.
Non-EU travellers are being warned about fake ETIAS websites exploiting confusion around upcoming EU border changes. Here is what ETIAS and EES actually mean, when the rules take effect, and how to protect yourself from scams.