The Association of Independent Tour Operators (Aito) hosted a webinar discussing the upcoming European Entry System (EES), which mandates biometric data collection at EU borders. While Aito is reassured by the UK government’s lobbying efforts, they are concerned about potential delays and inadequate border control preparedness. Aito also raised concerns about the European Travel Information and Authorization System (Etias), a visa waiver scheme requiring online applications before travel.
Starting in summer 2025, UK travelers will need to obtain a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa waiver to enter the European Union. This new system will require a €7 (£6) fee and is expected to apply to over 60 countries. The ETIAS aims to enhance security in the Schengen Area, which includes popular destinations like Spain, Italy, France, and the Netherlands. While the process is expected to be largely automatic, it marks a change in travel requirements for UK citizens visiting the EU.
The European Union is set to launch the Entry-Exit System (EES) on November 10th, requiring digital photographs and fingerprints from non-EU travelers, including those from the UK. This system aims to streamline border crossings and enhance security while also introducing an electronic travel authorization (ETIAS) for visa-exempt travelers.
Starting in spring 2025, travelers from visa-free countries, including the UK, will need to apply for a new €7 visa waiver called ETIAS to enter the Schengen Area in Europe. This new system aims to enhance border security and streamline travel procedures.
British holidaymakers are facing significant changes to their travel plans this year with the implementation of the European Union’s Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS). The EES, which will be operational from October 2024, will require non-EU citizens, including Britons, to register their biometric data (fingerprints and facial scans) and provide travel document information upon entering and exiting the EU. ETIAS, expected to launch in mid-2025, will necessitate British travelers to obtain a visa waiver for visits to most EU countries at a cost of £6.
