Entry/exit System (ees) For Uk Travellers: 7 Things British Passport-holders Must Know About Europe’s New Border Rules

EU’s caller separator strategy explained: The truth astir visas, security and recreation delays.

Holidaymakers heading to Europe look a awesome shake-up astatine passport power this autumn arsenic nan EU rolls retired its long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES).

Rumours person been swirling online that Brits will beryllium forced to show impervious of recreation insurance, use for fresh visas aliases salary new separator fees. Others person claimed nan changes are Brussels’ revenge for Brexit.

Here is what nan caller strategy actually intends for British travellers travelling to Spain aliases different EU countries.

Will I request recreation security to participate nan EU?

No. Despite claims by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage that Brits will person to transportation impervious of recreation insurance, nan European Commission has confirmed this is not true.

You tin still usage your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which gives entree to medically basal curen successful EU countries and Switzerland. It is not a replacement for recreation insurance, but location will beryllium nary caller ineligible request to show you person a policy.

British travellers will proceed to look modular post-Brexit checks astatine EU borders. This intends you whitethorn still request to show:

• The intent of your trip
• Proof of funds
• Accommodation details
• A return aliases onward recreation ticket

Your passport must besides beryllium little than 10 years aged and valid for astatine slightest 3 months aft your planned return date.

Do I request a visa nether nan caller system?

No. EES is not a visa scheme. It is an physics database that will switch nan aged passport stamping system. It will log nan dates you participate and time off nan EU to extremity group overstaying nan 90-day limit.

That limit remains nan same: up to 90 days successful any 180-day period without a visa for short trips.

Do not confuse EES pinch ETIAS, nan upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System. ETIAS, owed to motorboat successful precocious 2026, will require Brits to get online recreation authorisation akin to nan US ESTA. It will costs astir €20, but it is not a visa.

Is nan EES a reward for Brexit?

No. Brussels has been readying EES for years, agelong earlier nan Brexit vote. The strategy applies to each non-EU visitors, not conscionable UK citizens. Once again, nan world is not revolving astir us, nary matter really overmuch we for illustration to deliberation it does.

In fact, nan UK has brought successful its own version, nan Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which became mandatory successful April 2025. EU citizens visiting Britain will request ETA support earlier boarding a flight.

Does nan EES use to EU citizens?

No. The strategy only applies to non-EU nationals entering nan Schengen Area.

EU citizens, residents, and those pinch semipermanent visas are exempt. Other exceptions include:

• Cross-border workers
• Heads of state
• People pinch typical separator privileges

Students, au pairs and volunteers from extracurricular nan EU will besides not beryllium taxable to EES registration.

Will location beryllium caller fees?

Not for EES itself. Travellers will not pay anything erstwhile nan strategy originates successful October.

However, nan ETIAS strategy in 2026 will impact a €20 fee. It will beryllium valid for 3 years aliases until your passport expires. Children nether 18, over-70s, and family members of EU citizens are exempt.

Will queues astatine airports get worse?

At first, astir apt yes. The EU admits location could beryllium teething problems arsenic separator unit and passengers adjust.

But nan extremity is to velocity up crossings by swapping manual passport stamping for biometric checks like fingerprint and facial scans. Many airports are installing self-service kiosks and pre-registration systems to easiness congestion.

Once registered, your EES grounds will last 3 years, meaning you only request to supply biometric information again if your passport changes.

Is my personal information safe?

The EES will cod and shop only travel-related information specified arsenic entry/exit dates, passport details, facial scans and fingerprints.

It will not way where you spell inside nan EU. Strict EU information protection laws will limit really nan accusation tin beryllium utilized and really agelong it tin beryllium held.

The intent is simple: to enforce nan 90-day norm and boost separator security.

What this intends for British travellers

The bottommost statement is this: EES is not a visa, not a caller taxation and not Brexit payback.

From October, expect longer queues at first, but eventually a smoother, fully integer system. The existent alteration for UK travellers will travel successful 2026, erstwhile ETIAS authorisations go compulsory for short trips.

Until then, recreation arsenic before.

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