British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area will need to apply in advance for an online permit to visit from November 2025, according to current plans in Brussels. EU officials have confirmed that the much delayed “ entry-exit system ” will take effect on 10 November 2024. From that date, every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area must, in theory at least, be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric.
(The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland and Cyprus, which are in the European Union but outside Schengen.) Six months later after EES takes effect – ie in May 2025 according the latest plan – the Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System ( Etias ) will launch. But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional.
British travellers and those from all other “third-country visa-free nationals” (as the UK chose to become after Brexit ) will need provide information in advance so that frontier officials know more about them on arrival – and to identify people who the EU wants to keep out. Etias, the next step in tightening frontier controls, is a online permit system that is similar to the US Esta scheme (but cheaper at €7/£6 and valid for longer: three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expiry, whichever comes first). “UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring Etias for a short-term stay (9.
