How will new EU border rules affect UK trips to Europe?
From now through to late 2026, travelling to Europe as a UK visitor is gradually changing, mainly because of two new EU systems called the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). EES is already being rolled out and replaces passport stamping with biometric checks, while ETIAS is due to launch in the last quarter of 2026 and will work a bit like the USA’s ESTA, requiring many UK holidaymakers to apply online before they go. These schemes should not stop you enjoying a European break, but you will need to allow more time at the border, apply for ETIAS once it becomes mandatory, and make sure you have the right travel insurance in place so you are covered if you are refused boarding or entry for missing documents.
Do I need anything new to visit Europe right now?
At the moment you do not need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) to visit Europe, but EES (Entry/Exit System) is being phased in across EU and Schengen borders, which means you may face biometric checks and longer queues when you arrive or leave.
Will I have to apply and pay for ETIAS?
Most UK passport holders visiting Schengen countries or Cyprus for short trips will need to apply and pay a small fee for ETIAS once it goes live, although it will be free for under 18s and older travellers and some people will be exempt.
Will EES and ETIAS change my travel insurance cover?
EES should not affect your cover, but once ETIAS becomes a required travel authorisation your insurer is unlikely to pay out if you travel without one and your trip is disrupted because you did not have the right documents.
Can I still get cheap European travel insurance?
Yes, low cost European travel insurance is still widely available, and a basic single trip policy for Europe is often very affordable, especially if you only travel once a year and shop around or use a broker to compare prices.
Key Points: Travelling to Europe: EES, ETIAS and your travel insurance 2026.
- EES is a new EU border system that digitally records when non EU travellers enter and leave, using passport details, facial images and, for most people aged 12 and over, fingerprints.
- Rollout of EES started on 12 October 2025, with all relevant border points expected to use it fully by 10 April 2026.
- ETIAS is a separate pre travel authorisation due to start in the last quarter of 2026, which many UK holidaymakers will need before visiting most European destinations.
- Both schemes apply mainly to short stays of up to 90 days in any 180 day period for people travelling from so called third countries such as the UK.
- Irish passport holders and people with EU residency are generally exempt from EES and ETIAS when travelling on their EU or Irish documents.
- Travel insurance will not usually cover you if you forget to get mandatory documents like ETIAS once they are required.
- Planning ahead, allowing extra time at the border, and arranging the right level of European travel insurance will help keep your trip smooth and low stress.
Our latest expert travel insurance guide explains the new rules for British travellers heading to Europe from 2026 and how it can affect your journey through border control. Travelling from the UK has become significantly more complicated for many of us and it’s all changing again with the introduction of EES and ETIAS.
EU Entry/Exit System (EES) explained
What is the EES?
The EU Entry/Exit System is an electronic system that records the movements of non EU and non Schengen citizens when they cross the external borders of participating countries. Instead of a border guard stamping your passport every time you enter or leave, your details will be logged automatically. Your passport will still be checked, but you will also have a facial photograph taken and, if you are 12 or over, your fingerprints scanned and stored securely alongside your travel document details.
Each time you pass through border control in one of the participating countries, the system will log the date, time and which border point you used. It will also keep track of how many days you have spent in the Schengen area so that border officials can quickly see whether you have respected the 90 days in 180 days rule. For most UK holidaymakers, that simply means the checks feel a bit more high tech and might take longer the first time you register.
Who does the EES apply to?
The EES applies to people who:
- Are visiting an EU or Schengen area country as a short stay visitor.
- Plan to stay up to 90 days within any rolling 180 day period for holiday or business.
- Hold a passport from a so called third country, such as the UK, the USA, Canada or many others outside the EU and Schengen zone.
If, for example, you are a British passport holder heading to Spain for a two week beach break, the EES applies to you. Everyone, including children, will have their entry and exit recorded. Children under 12 will not have fingerprint scans taken, but they will have a facial photograph captured as part of the process.
There are some important exceptions. Irish passport holders are exempt, because of the Common Travel Area and Ireland’s position. People who have a residence permit or EU residency and travel using that status are also exempt. If you are a dual national, for example British and Italian, travelling on your Italian passport should mean the EES does not apply in the same way as it would to a non EU visitor.
When does the EES fully come into force?
The EU started rolling EES out on 12 October 2025. Since then, more and more border crossing points have been added in stages. By early 2026, many major airports, ports and some land borders were already using the system for a proportion of travellers, while others continued with traditional passport stamping alongside EES.
The plan is for EES to be operating at all relevant border points from 10 April 2026. During the run up to this date, you might have very different experiences depending on where and how you travel. A small regional airport might not yet be fully using EES when you visit, while a large hub could be handling most non EU passengers through the system already. It is worth checking your airline or ferry operator’s latest advice before you go, as they will often warn about any expected border delays.
Which countries are using EES?
EES covers most EU and Schengen member states. These include popular holiday spots such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Portugal, as well as countries like Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. A full list would also include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
There are two important exceptions for UK travellers to note. Although Cyprus is an EU country, EES does not apply in quite the same way there until ETIAS starts. Ireland is also not part of the Schengen area, and if you travel there your passport will still be stamped manually under current arrangements, rather than being recorded in EES.
What does EES mean for passport control?
The main impact for most people will be extra time at border control, especially on your first trip after EES is introduced at that particular crossing. The initial registration involves scanning your passport, capturing a facial image and, for most travellers, recording fingerprints. Once this is done, future crossings should be a bit faster, but queues may still be longer than before while border officials get used to the system and more passengers are moved across.
To keep stress levels down and avoid missing flights or transfers, it is sensible to:
- Arrive at the airport or port earlier than you used to, especially at busy times such as school holidays.
- Head straight to passport control when you land, rather than stopping for a long browse in duty free if the queues look heavy.
- Make sure your passport is easy to reach and remove any covers that could interfere with the scanner.
- Have accommodation details and return travel information handy, as border officers can still ask you about your plans.
UK travellers have already become familiar with extra questions since Brexit, such as where you are staying, how long for and whether your visit is for work or leisure. With EES, some of these questions may be asked on screen as part of the process instead of in a traditional chat with a border officer, but you should still be prepared to answer clearly.
What about Eurostar, ferries and cruises?
If you travel via the Port of Dover, Folkestone, or on Eurostar from London St Pancras, you go through French border checks while you are still in the UK, because of joint border arrangements. Your EES registration is likely to happen there, before you board the ferry or train. This can be helpful, as you are not under time pressure for a connecting flight, but it does mean you should build in extra time at the terminal, particularly during peak periods.
For cruises, the rules are slightly different. If your cruise both starts and ends at a UK port, and you only visit EES countries on short shore excursions during the trip, you generally do not need to complete full EES checks for each stop. However, if you fly to an EES country to join your cruise, you will be processed through EES when you land. If your cruise starts in the UK but finishes in, for example, Barcelona or Athens, you are likely to go through EES checks when you leave the ship at the end of the voyage.
ETIAS: Europe’s new pre travel authorisation
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS, short for European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is the EU’s upcoming online travel authorisation for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays. It is similar to the USA’s ESTA scheme and the UK’s own ETA. Instead of simply turning up at the border with your passport, you will first complete a quick online form, pay a small fee, and receive an electronic approval that is linked to your passport.
Once ETIAS is in place, airlines, ferry companies and other carriers will need to check you have a valid travel authorisation before they let you board. Border officials will also see your ETIAS status when they scan your passport. While it is not a visa, it becomes a mandatory requirement for travel, so forgetting to apply could mean being denied boarding or refused entry at the border.
When does ETIAS start?
ETIAS has been delayed several times, but the latest EU guidance is that it will launch in the last quarter of 2026. That means you do not need an ETIAS yet for your 2026 summer holiday, but if you are planning trips towards the end of 2026 or beyond, you should keep an eye on official announcements.
The most reliable place for up to date information is the official ETIAS section of the EU’s Travel Europe website at travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. Be wary of unofficial sites that charge extra fees or claim to get you an ETIAS before the system is live.
Which countries will require ETIAS?
ETIAS will apply to most of the same destinations covered by EES, including all the Schengen countries and Cyprus. This covers the majority of popular European holiday spots for UK travellers, from Spain, Portugal and France to Croatia, Greece and Italy, along with destinations such as Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.
To check whether the country you want to visit will require ETIAS, it is best to use the country specific advice tools on the official ETIAS website or cross check with the UK government’s foreign travel advice pages at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Who will need an ETIAS?
Once it starts, ETIAS will be required for travellers who:
- Are visiting an EU or Schengen country, or Cyprus, for a short stay.
- Plan to stay up to 90 days in any 180 day period for tourism, business, or short study trips.
- Come from a country that does not need a visa for these visits, including the UK.
If you hold an Irish passport, or you have an EU residence permit and travel on that basis, you do not need ETIAS. The same applies if you already have a visa issued by a Schengen country or Cyprus for the trip you are taking. Dual nationals with both EU and non EU passports can usually avoid ETIAS by travelling on their EU passport instead.
How to apply for ETIAS and what it costs
When the system goes live, you will apply online through the official EU website or a mobile app. Each traveller, including children, will need their own ETIAS, so a family of four will submit four applications. The form should take only a few minutes if you have your passport and basic details to hand.
The application fee is expected to be around €20 for most adults. ETIAS will be free for travellers under 18 or aged 71 and over, and some other groups may be exempt from paying. Once approved, your ETIAS will normally be valid for three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can use it for multiple trips within that period, as long as you continue to respect the 90 days in 180 days rule.
Because some applications may be flagged for manual checks, the EU has warned that in rare cases a decision could take up to 30 days. To be safe, it is wise to apply a few weeks before you travel rather than leaving it to the last minute, particularly in the early months after launch when processing systems and staff are still bedding in.
Information you will need to provide
According to EU guidance, ETIAS applications will ask for information such as:
- Your full name, date and place of birth and nationality.
- Your home address, parents’ names, email address and phone number.
- Passport details, including number, issue date and expiry date.
- Basic information about your job or education.
- The main reason for your trip, such as tourism or business.
- Security related questions about criminal convictions, past travel to conflict areas, or any previous orders to leave another country.
It is important that the details on your ETIAS application exactly match your passport. If, for example, you have recently married and changed your surname on your passport, you must use the same details in your application. A mismatch could lead to refusal or problems at the border, and your travel insurance is unlikely to pay out if you gave incorrect information.
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How EES and ETIAS could affect your travel insurance
The EES itself should not directly change your travel insurance cover. It is essentially a different way of recording your movements in and out of Europe. However, it does make it more important to leave enough time at the border, as insurers will often not cover you if you miss a flight simply because you did not allow for predictable delays at passport control.
ETIAS is different because once it is mandatory it will be treated like a basic entry requirement, similar to holding a valid passport or visa. Most travel insurance policies contain exclusions that say they will not pay for losses or cancellations caused by your failure to have correct travel documents. That could mean no payout if you are denied boarding at the airport for not having a valid ETIAS, or if you are turned back on arrival and have to pay for a new flight home.
To protect yourself financially, it is worth:
- Buying travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, so you are covered for cancellation up to departure.
- Reading the section on passports, visas and travel authorisations in your policy document.
- Checking whether your insurer offers any help line or advice service you can contact if you are unsure which documents you need.
- Keeping proof of your ETIAS approval, such as confirmation emails or screenshots, in case there is a technical glitch and you need to show you applied correctly.
If you travel often, you might find that an annual multi trip policy for Europe works out cheaper than buying a separate single trip policy each time, especially once ETIAS fees are added on. A good broker can compare different insurers for you and help you find a low cost option that still provides decent protection for medical bills, cancellation and lost belongings.
Frequently asked questions about European travel insurance
What is single trip travel insurance?
Single trip travel insurance is a policy that covers you for one specific journey, from the day you leave the UK to the day you return. Unlike an annual multi trip policy, it is ideal if you only expect to travel once in the year. Most single trip European policies include cover for cancellation, medical emergencies, repatriation, lost or stolen baggage, and sometimes travel disruption. If you do not travel frequently, a single trip policy is usually cheaper than paying for year round cover, especially if you shop around for low cost options.
Does European travel insurance cover multiple destinations?
Many European policies will cover you for more than one country on the same trip, as long as all your destinations fall within the area the insurer classes as Europe. When you get a quote, you will normally be asked which countries you plan to visit, so be honest and include any side trips. If you expect to visit several European countries over the course of a year, an annual multi trip policy can be a simple and often cost effective way to protect every break you take, without having to arrange new insurance each time.
What does European travel insurance typically cover?
A standard European travel insurance policy commonly includes: Emergency medical expenses and emergency transport or repatriation back to the UK, Cancellation or curtailment if you cannot travel or have to cut your trip short due to reasons listed in the policy, such as illness or a bereavement, Cover for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal belongings, and Personal liability, in case you accidentally injure someone else or damage their property.
Levels of cover and limits vary between insurers, so it is worth checking the small print and not just picking the very cheapest option. For example, if you are taking expensive gadgets, you may want a policy with higher personal belongings limits, or add optional gadget cover.
Which countries count as Europe for travel insurance?
Insurers do not all use exactly the same definition of Europe. As a rough guide, European cover usually includes all EU member states plus non EU countries such as Norway, Switzerland and Iceland. Some policies also include nearby destinations like Turkey, Morocco or other countries around the Mediterranean within their European zone.
Always double check the list of covered countries in your policy wording before you buy. If you are unsure whether a particular destination counts as Europe or worldwide, ask your insurer or broker to confirm in writing, so you know you are properly covered before you travel.
Planning ahead for smooth, low stress European travel
The introduction of EES and ETIAS does mean a few extra steps for UK residents heading to Europe, but it should not put you off booking that city break or beach holiday. With a bit of advance planning, and by keeping an eye on official updates, you can make sure you meet the new requirements without paying over the odds or risking unnecessary stress at the border.
Before you book, check your passport has enough time left, think about how often you are likely to go away in the next year, and decide whether a single trip or annual European policy will be the best value for you. Once ETIAS goes live, build the application fee and timing into your holiday budget and to do list, just as you would for airport parking or transfers.
By allowing a little more time at passport control, applying for ETIAS in good time, and arranging suitable European travel insurance, you can focus on enjoying your trip knowing you have ticked the most important admin jobs off the list and protected yourself against many of the common financial risks that come with travel.
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