Big Changes Ahead for Travellers to Europe: EES and ETIAS

If you’re planning a trip to Europe in the next couple of years, know there are big changes ahead for travellers to Europe. The EU is modernising border controls with the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) in 2025 and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in 2026.

The EES, rolling out in October 2025, will replace the practice of stamping passports. Instead, it will digitally record when and where non-EU visitors enter and leave the Schengen Area, ensuring travellers don’t exceed the 90-days-in-180 rule. On a first visit, non-EU citizens—including Canadians, Americans, and Britons—will have their photo and fingerprints taken. On future crossings, border officials can quickly confirm identity against the database. For travellers, this means less guesswork, since your travel history will be tracked electronically. It also means overstays will be detected automatically, so keeping track of your permitted days is more important than ever. (Canadians can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa)

Building on that, ETIAS is expected to launch in late 2026. It isn’t a visa, but rather a digital travel authorisation, similar to the fee Canada has been charging visitors. Citizens from visa-exempt countries will need to apply online, provide passport and background details, and pay a small fee (around €20 for ages 18–70). Once approved, an ETIAS is valid for three years, or until your passport expires, and allows multiple short stays.

Together, EES and ETIAS will streamline border checks and strengthen security. At first, the process may take longer as systems settle in, but ultimately the goal is quicker, smoother travel. If you’re heading to Europe from late 2025 onward, be prepared: bring patience, budget a little extra time at the border, and remember to add ETIAS to your pre-trip checklist.

Traveller’s Checklist: Europe’s New EES & ETIAS

• Check your passport – Must be valid for your entire stay (and longer if you’ll apply for ETIAS).

• Know the dates – EES starts October 2025, ETIAS begins late 2026.

• Prepare for biometrics – On your first trip after Oct 2025, expect to provide a facial image and fingerprints.

• Track your days – The 90 days in 180 rule will be monitored digitally; overstays flagged automatically.

• Apply for ETIAS – Starting in 2026, travellers from visa-exempt countries must apply online before departure.

• Budget for fees – ETIAS will cost about €20 (ages 18–70), valid for 3 years or until your passport expires.

• Apply early – ETIAS is often approved quickly, but may take up to 30 days if extra checks are needed.

• Use official sites – Watch out for third-party scams; only apply through the EU’s official channels.