UK citizens are allowed to visit Schengen countries visa-free for a three-month in six months. So, it was hard for the European Union to keep a record of UK travelers for their travels. So, the European Union is launching two new travel rules. The entry-exit system (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS for UK Travelers to streamline the traveling records of UK citizens to Schengen countries.
So, who needs to apply for the ETIAS and EES entry-exit system? What are the requirements and processing time? When will EES start?
If you are a UK traveler and want to know all the details about it, this guide has all the information related to the entry-exit system EES and the ETIAS system.
The EES and ETIAS visa-waiver are made to strengthen European security and travel records for UK travelers. Here is detailed information about the entry-exit system.
EES is a digital entry system for both UK citizens (who do not require a visa) and UK residents (who require a visa). They have to register on the EES every time they cross the external border of any Schengen country using this entry-exit system. It collects biometric data at the entry and exit of Schengen countries’ airports.
Your data will be stored in a digital file and verified whenever you cross the Schengen zone border.
It is known as a visa-waiver scheme. ETIAS for UK travelers is a new registration system for those UK travelers (citizens) who do not need a Schengen visa to enter 29 Schengen countries and 63 visa-exempt countries( the US, Australia, and New Zealand) for a short stay (maximum three months). It is not a visa; it is electronically linked to your travel document (passport).
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UK travelers who hold a British passport and are allowed to visit all 29 Schengen countries visa-free for short stays, now require an ETIAS visa travel authorization from late 2026 before traveling to a Schengen country.
An ETIAS especially for UK citizens or residents, will start from the last quarter of 2026, according to the update of the European Union. The implementation of the ETIAS is scheduled after the EES entry-exit system comes into action for Schengen countries. The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) for UK citizens became operational on October 12, 2025. There will be an ETIAS transition period of at least six months after its launch. During this transition period, eligible UK travelers (citizens) can apply for ETIAS in advance.
Read more: What is the Best time to visit Europe: 5 Best Schengen Countries to Visit from UK!
The requirements for an ETIAS are mentioned below:
All these requirements must be valid and accurate to get an ETIAS timely manner.
To apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), you first have to understand what is the procedure and how you apply for an ETIAS:
The steps or an application process for ETIAS are:
There is no need to apply for an EES in advance. It is an entry/exit system to keep a record of the UK travelers’ Schengen country visits. So, it is only needed at the time of entry and exit from the Schengen country border.
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As ETIAS for UK Travelers is an electronic process so most of the applications are processed in minutes. But if something is lacking in your data, it can take 4 days. And in the requirements of the interview for more verification, it can take 14 or 30 days.
So, you should plan to apply for your ETIAS travel authorization in advance with valid documents to get it on time.
Note: As the ETIAS travel authorisation is electronically linked to your passport, there is no need to print it.
The validity of the ETIAS for UK travelers’ travel authorisation is three years or until the passport expires, after it is applied for. The fees for the ETIAS application are around €7 for adult travelers, but applicants under 18, or above 70 years old, or certain family members are exempt from visa fees. And €20 for all UK travelers between the ages of 18 to 70.
There are no fees for EES. This is free to use because it is a system that records biometrics at entry and exit from the Schengen area.
Note: ETIAS is not a visa; it is only a travel authorization to keep records of UK travelers’ visits. So, a UK citizen can only stay in a Schengen country for three months as per the Schengen visa-free agreement. You can not stay in the country according to the ETIAS validity.
EES and ETIAS are both security systems for UK travelers to track the record of traveling, but there are still some differences between ETIAS and EES.
| ETIAS | EES |
| European Travel Information and Authorization System | Entry/Exit System |
| It is similar to the Schengen visa procedure | Similar to a passport stamping procedure |
| It requires detailed information ( personal data, passport, and security-related information) | This requires only biometric and facial image information |
| It is required for UK citizens only | It is required for both UK citizens and UK travelers |
| It has a validity period | There is no validity period |
In the final thought, EES and ETIAS for UK Travelers are two entry-exit rules for UK travelers, separate yet related, to enhance border security and management of the Schengen order. The ETIAS travel authorization is for UK citizens, whereas the EES system is for both UK citizens and residents.
So, if you are a UK traveler, then be aware of the entry/exit system in advance for further traveling to the Schengen countries.
EES is a digital entry/exit system for UK travelers (citizens and residents) required during entry and exit from a Schengen country. It requires a biometric and a live photo.
NO, you do not need an ETIAS to travel to a Schengen country, because it is a visit tracking system for UK travelers who do not need a Schengen country.
The validity of ETIAS for UK travelers is three years or until the Schengen visa expires. It allows a UK traveler for multiple short stays up to three months in six months in the Schengen zone.
The requirements for ETIAS for UK travelers;
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