Major EU border changes with new 96-hour rule

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The European Union has unveiled two significant travel updates that will alter how UK citizens enter countries like France, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal - the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Lori Delaney, Marketing Manager at Trtl Travel, has advised those planning to travel from the UK to Europe in the coming months to take certain steps now to avoid delays.

Loro said: “The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is the first of the two changes to be introduced and will affect the way you cross the border between participating countries. This change will replace the traditional manual-stamping passport rules for Europe with an electronic system that registers anyone entering or leaving countries digitally,

“While this might sound confusing, the change just means your movements will be recorded each time you cross over a border within the EU/Schengen area, rather than the current system that lets you move freely between countries once you arrive in the EU. The second change is the implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is the European Union’s new travel authorisation system. It’s similar to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) that non-UK residents need to enter the UK on holiday or the ESTA system used in the US, which requires visitors to pay a $21 fee for a two-year travel authorisation.

"Currently, the EU still hasn't set a specific date for the new Entry/Exit system to start."

Here's how people travelling on a UK passport can prepare for the new system

1. Check if your passport is valid

“The first and most important way to prepare for the upcoming rule changes is to check your passport’s expiration date carefully. A valid passport is essential for any overseas travel, regardless of the new rules, so you should renew it as soon as possible if it has expired or has less than six months remaining.”

2. Plan ahead for application timeframes

“Rushing to get important documents signed off at the last minute can delay your travel, so it’s worth noting down the deadlines for any applications you’ll need before your trip and getting your documents in order way ahead of time.

“If you’ll need to use the ETIAS when it’s live, the recommended timeframe is to apply at least 96 hours before your trip — though there will likely be teething issues when the system first launches, so applying even earlier reduces the chances of something going wrong and you being unable to travel.”

3. Monitor any border control changes

“While the new entry/exit systems aren’t running just yet, we can expect to see them fairly soon — so, it’s essential to keep an eye on any changes at the border of the countries you plan to travel to.

“You can find information about travelling across Europe via the European Commission , which will be kept up to date as and when the new changes are rolled out.”

4. Track how many days you'll be in the Schengen area

“By law, you can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area in a single 180-day period. This number doesn’t reset if you travel between countries — even if you leave the Schengen area and enter again — so tracking how long you stay is vital to avoid accidentally going over the limit. Plus, the last thing you want to do is pay for additional days that you won’t be able to enjoy!

“Because you’re only allowed to stay for 90 days, this automatically means that your trip falls under the ‘Short-Stay’ umbrella — which means you’ll always need to apply for ETIAS and go through the entry/exit system if travelling from the UK or any other visa-exempt country.”

5. Get comprehensive travel insurance

“Although there’s no rule saying you need travel insurance, it’s worth the peace of mind knowing that you’re protected if anything goes wrong during your trip.

With big changes coming into effect in the new year, travelling to Europe will undoubtedly become more complicated, and new systems for staff to learn could mean delays at the border. If you’re catching a connecting flight or boarding a cruise, these delays might even make you miss your transport, which is where travel insurance is a saving grace. Not only can comprehensive insurance help you find alternative travel, but it also reimburses you for any lost costs.”

6. Stay updated on the policy changes

“The new EU travel rules aren’t expected to be introduced until 2025 at the earliest, but the exact date is still under review. Because of this, if you’re planning a trip to Europe next year, it’s vital to stay updated on any policy changes to make sure you don’t accidentally miss the ETIAS roll-out.

“The easiest way to find out whether you’ll need pre-approval for your travel is to check the ETIAS website to see if they have started accepting applications a few days before your travel date.

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