ESS Launches in Europe and ETIAS is Next – What to Expect for Schengen Travel

What is the ESS?

ESS is the Entry Exit System launched by the European Union on 12 October 2025. The system is designed to control and enhance transparency across external borders. It will replace passport stamps, with users expected to register biometrics for entry into Europe.

The system will record entries and exits for all non-EU travelers on short stays in Schengen member states. Entries and exits will be recorded, regardless of whether a non-EU national requires a visa.

The Entry/Exit System is an automated electronic database that will record:

• Entry and Exit dates for Non-EU travelers.
• Biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial images).
• Details about overstays.

EES replaces the old system of manually stamping passports, providing more precise information about each traveler’s movements. This will help authorities detect overstayers more efficiently and enhance overall border security. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), by contrast, is a travel permission required to enter any Schengen country. It essentially vets travelers to the EU, reducing border checks. ETIAS is expected to be effective from the final quarter of 2026, so it is not an immediate requirement.

Under the Entry-Exit System, any traveler who is not an EU citizen will:

• Have their entry and exits in the Schengen recorded (date and entry point)
• Have their name, passport data, and biometrics recorded
• Have any entry-exit refusals recorded

First-time travelers under the new scheme will need to have their information recorded, while the system is expected to work faster for subsequent visits with a passport scan and biometric verification.

ESS: The Phased Roll-Out

The phased rollout will involve a gradual introduction of the ESS across 29 of the Schengen member states over the next six months. This includes:

• Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Beginning on 12 October, it is expected to be completed by 10 April 2025. During this transitional phase, some borders will continue manual passport stamping, while others will implement biometric registration under the new EES. It is essential to verify whether the border you plan to enter has an EES system in place, as there may be delays in processing at first.

• At least one border within each member state will operate the EES from day one. Within 60 days, it will be live across 10% of the EU’s border crossing points.
• By December 2025, EES will begin taking biometrics (facial scans and fingerprints)

Major External Borders Already Using ESS

• The Port of Dover in the UK began its initial checks on coach and foot passengers on 12 October. Similarly, the Channel Tunnel, where processing began for freight and coaches on 12 October.
• Paris Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly airports in France
• Stuttgart Airport, Germany
• Bajakovo Border Crossing, Croatia

Who does the EES affect?

The Entry-Exit System (EES) does not change the visa process. It only changes the checks that are done at the borders of participating nations. Those who are not EU nationals will still need a visa to enter the EU, unless they are nationals of a visa-exempt country. There are currently 63 countries that are not part of the Schengen area and do not require a visa for visits.

What if I do not need a visa for EU travel

If you have previously not needed a visa to come to the EU, that will change with the next stage of the rollout. Once ETIAS launches by the end of 2026, all travelers from outside the Schengen member states will require either:

• A Schengen visa to visit the EU
• An ETIAS (Electronic Travel Authorization)
• A visa that best matches your purpose of visit, if “visiting” is not your intention

Which countries are in the Schengen Zone and will require ETIAS for travel?

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. 

Additionally, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City, though not official Schengen members, are de facto included due to open borders with Schengen countries. 

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) governing entry for visa-exempt travellers in the Schengen area. The new authorization system assesses and mitigates risk before travel, ensuring those who travel to the Schengen zone, comprising 29 European countries, are essentially granted entry clearance before arriving at a port of entry, resulting in fewer internal border checks. It is connected to several international databases that can verify your identity within minutes. Eligible travellers can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days without applying for a Schengen Visa.

When will ETIAS take effect?

The ETIAS system launches in the last quarter of 2026. Before it becomes operational, travelers will not be penalized for not having an ETIAS authorization, allowing both travelers and authorities to adapt to the new requirements. By late 2026, it will become mandatory for all travelers from visa-exempt countries.

What is the ETIAS fee?

The ETIAS application fee will be €20, and travelers under 18 or over 70 are exempt from paying. 

How long will the application take?

The application process is designed to be quick, with most approvals given within minutes. Some cases requiring additional verification may take up to 72 hours. The EU Commission also warns that the decision could take up to 4 weeks in exceptional circumstances.

Who will need to apply for ETIAS?

Not all the non-EU nationals require a Visa to enter the Schengen Area. Currently, 63 countries are not part of the European Union but still enjoy visa-free status.

Nationals from these countries who plan to travel to the Schengen Zone will need to make an ETIAS travel authorisation application.

Who Does Not Need ETIAS?

• EU citizens do not need ETIAS.
• Travelers from non-visa-exempt countries will continue to follow the regular Schengen visa process.
• People with long-term residence permits or visas in Schengen countries are also exempt.
• According to EU Parliament regulations, citizens of visa waiver countries can visit the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days without needing a visa. However, working or studying in the EU is not permitted, unless for visa holders.

Why is ETIAS Being Introduced?

The introduction of ETIAS is part of a broader effort by the EU to enhance security across its external borders. With the Schengen Zone allowing visa-free travel between 27 countries, it’s essential to have strong external controls to monitor who is entering the area. The main objectives of ETIAS are:

• Preventing terrorism and criminal activities by screening individuals before they arrive.
• Mitigating migration risks by identifying individuals likely to overstay or abuse visa-free privileges.
• Protecting public health, especially in light of recent global pandemics.

By pre-authorizing travelers, the EU will have greater control over who can enter the Schengen Zone and help ensure that travelers do not pose a threat to public security or health.

The system will perform a security check for each applicant who wishes to enter a Schengen zone country or is a member of the EU. It will determine whether you can enter the Schengen Area. Every time you re-enter the EU, ETIAS will update your details, streamlining your admission process in every member state.

How Does ETIAS Work?

The ETIAS application process is expected to be straightforward and entirely online. Here’s how it works:

1. Application: Travelers will fill out an online form providing personal details (such as name, nationality, and passport details), travel plans, and health and security questions.
2. Screening: The system will cross-check applicants’ information against a range of EU security databases, such as SIS, VIS, Interpol, Europol, and the Entry/Exit System (EES), to assess any risks related to security, irregular migration, or public health.
3. Decision: In most cases, applicants will receive a decision within minutes.
4. Validity: Once approved, ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that travelers can enter and exit the Schengen Zone multiple times during this period, provided they respect the 90-day limit within any 180 days.

Document Requirements for an ETIAS Application

The EU Commission is developing a system that will be easy and intuitive to use. You will be able to upload your documents on the online system, such as:

• Your travel documents and ID
• Information about the purpose of your stay or transit
• Your travel itinerary
• Evidence of criminal records

The ETIAS system will automatically check your data against several international databases. If your application is approved, you will get your valid European Travel Visa within minutes. Otherwise, you will receive a letter stating the reason for the refusal.

Since the ETIAS authorization is not a visa, you will not receive any physical evidence of your travel permit. Your status will be verified using your valid passport, which must already be registered in the EU system, when you cross the border.

If you wish to transit through the EU as part of your journey, you can request your ETIAS authorization at the application kiosks. These will soon be installed in every European airport.

How long will my ETIAS last?

Based on the current approved ETIAS travel authorization and plan, your ETIAS travel authorization will be valid for three years. During this period, you will be able to visit the EU for up to 90 days at a time.

However, you must respect the 90/180 rule, which means you cannot stay in Schengen area countries together for more than 90 days within 180 days. On the other hand, you can enter the EU and the Schengen Area for as many times as you want as long as your ETIAS is valid.

Will UK citizens need ETIAS?

The UK is no longer part of the European Union, meaning that British citizens will need to complete an ETIAS application before traveling to the EU. Until ETIAS becomes a requirement, British citizens can use their passports to travel in and out of the EU without a visa for business and leisure purposes.

What is the difference between ETIAS authorization and the Schengen Visa?

Traveling through the Schengen Area requires a visa. It can be used to stay in or transit through any of the countries that are part of the Schengen treaty.

Conversely, the ETIAS authorization is available for the nationals of countries that are not part of the EU and do not need a visa to travel. Citizens of these states can already travel freely within the European Union without a visa. Consequently, the introduction of ETIAS will not change this benefit.

This scheme will introduce a more straightforward way to control migration in the EU, and its benefits will be valid for both Schengen members and non-members.

The ETIAS authorization and the Schengen Visa are not mutually exclusive. Based on your destinations, you can decide which permit is more appropriate for you.

If you hold a Schengen Visa, you will not need to get an ETIAS authorization. However, there are European countries that are not part of the Schengen Area and vice versa. For this reason, it is advisable to check if you can enjoy visa-free travel in your destination country before planning your trip.

Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to receive assistance with your application.

ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System (EES)

ETIAS will work in tandem with the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new EU border management system designed to monitor the entry and exit of non-EU travelers. While ETIAS pre-screens travelers before they reach Europe, the EES will track when and where they enter and exit the Schengen Zone.

How Will ETIAS and EES Work Together?

ETIAS and EES are complementary systems:

• ETIAS ensures that travelers are vetted before they arrive.
• EES records their entry and exit, allowing authorities to track how long they stay in the Schengen Zone.

When you apply for ETIAS, your details will be cross-checked against the EES database to ensure you haven’t overstayed during a previous visit. At the border, EES will confirm the legitimacy of your ETIAS authorization and ensure compliance with Schengen Zone regulations.

Can your lawyers help with an ETIAS application?

Yes, once the application system is open, our lawyers will be available to assist you with your application. They can also offer advice if you are unsure about whether to apply.

If you are interested in exploring the new European Travel Visa and your options to visit the EU, you can contact IAS. We have offices located in Manchester, Birmingham, London and several other areas in the UK. If you can’t make it to one of our offices then you can book a remote appointment over the phone or via Skype call.

Our team of immigration experts will be happy to discuss your circumstances and provide guidance on the next steps to take. If you are a non-EU national, you may need a Schengen Visa. One of our immigration advisors can assist you in completing your application form, allowing you to plan your trip with ease.

Get in touch today with one of our immigration lawyers. You can call us or use our online contact form to request a callback from one of our advisors.