Information on the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and EasyPASS
The European Union (EU) is planning to introduce a new system of border control measures for travellers with passports from non-EU countries that do not require a visa to enter the EU. This includes the United Kingdom. The information provided here does not apply to the Common Travel Area of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
The new system features two separate but related components: firstly, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and, secondly, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Under current plans, the system will be fully operational by the last calendar quarter of 2026, with ETIAS being implemented after the launch of the EES, which will be rolled out from 12 October 2025.
I. ETIAS
Under ETIAS, travellers with non-EU passports that do not require a visa – this applies to UK passport holders - for travel to the EU will have to register on the ETIAS website or mobile app. This requires the use of a biometric passport, which must be valid for at least another three months. Travellers will have to provide personal details as well as further travel information. Therefore, travellers must use the travel document which they have provided in their application when they enter the EU.
The application fee is €20, with certain exemptions for minors and the elderly. Family members of EU citizens may also be exempt.
The application will – in most cases – take just a few minutes to process and will be issued promptly. In some cases, the application process may take up to 30 days. A single application is valid for a period of three years or until the travel document attached to the application becomes invalid, whichever comes first. However, it only allows for short-term stays (90 days of stay within any 180-day period).
ETIAS is expected to launch in the last calendar quarter of 2026.
II. EES
EES is a fully automated system for the registration of travellers from non-EU countries when entering the EU and will replace manual stamping of passports. Travellers will be required to scan their passport at a self-service kiosk when entering the EU. Upon the first entry into the EU, it is highly likely that travellers will be required to provide fingerprint scans and a facial image will be taken. Travellers unwilling to provide these will be denied entry. The EES system will also check the information provided under ETIAS.
The recorded data will be deleted after a maximum of five years (three years in most cases) following the expiry date of the authorised stay.
EES self-service kiosks will operate in the UK at the Port of Dover and at Eurostar and Eurotunnel terminals. Travellers using these routes will therefore already be required to provide their travel documents while technically still in the United Kingdom.
EES is due to be rolled out gradually over a period of 6 months, starting on 12th October 2025. From 10th April 2026 EES is meant to be fully operational. EES will be implemented at German sea and air borders, so that travellers arriving by plane or ship will be asked to use the EES self-service kiosks at their port or airport of entry to Germany.
III. EasyPASS
Starting on 25 August 2025, British citizens can register for the EasyPASS Registered Traveller Programme (RTP) in Germany. This grants them access to the semi-automated border control system when entering the country. As a result, border crossings become quicker, easier, and more time-efficient for travellers.
When arriving by plane, EasyPASS is available at eight major German airports: Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Hamburg, Hannover, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Berlin Brandenburg, and Cologne/Bonn. EasyPASS is also installed at the main train stations in Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof, and Munich Hauptbahnhof—that is, at major international train entry points where federal passport controls are in place. However, EasyPASS is not currently available when entering Germany by ferry. Border checks in such cases are conducted manually.
Registration for EasyPASS is only possible in person at a Federal Police (Bundespolizei) service office located at designated EasyPASS sites. As a general rule, registration can be completed at these service offices during regular opening hours without the need for a prior appointment. You can access the application form in the download area of the official link.
