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ETIAS and EES are two new European border systems that UK travellers need to understand, but they do very different jobs.
ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation you apply for online. EES is a digital border system that records your entry and exit when you cross an external Schengen border. You do not apply for EES or pay a separate EES fee.
ETIAS is not yet open for applications and is currently expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026. EES, meanwhile, is already operational across the Schengen area.
So, do UK travellers need both? What happens at the border? How much do they cost? And which European countries are covered? Here is what you need to know before your next trip.
EES is a border system. It records your entry and exit at the border itself. ETIAS is different. It is an online travel authorisation you apply for before you travel.
Here is how they compare.
| Feature | EES | ETIAS |
| What it is | A digital border check-in and check-out system | An online pre-travel authorisation |
| Main purpose | Records entries and exits electronically | Screens travellers before they arrive |
| When it happens | At the border, on arrival and departure | Before you leave the UK |
| Where it happens | Airports, ports, and rail terminals | Online, from home |
| Who it affects | Non-EU travellers, including UK passport holders | Visa-exempt travellers, including UK passport holders |
| Cost | Free | €20 per application (planned) |
| Biometrics | Fingerprints and a facial photo, taken in person | None collected online |
| Online application | No | Yes |
| Validity / data period | EES records are retained under specific EU rules | Valid for 3 years or until passport expiry |
| Countries covered | 29 Schengen area countries | 30 countries, including Cyprus |
EES stands for the Entry/Exit System. It is a digital record of your border crossings.
EES is already running. It became fully operational across the Schengen area on 10 April 2026, according to GOV.UK EES guidance.
EES replaces the old manual passport stamp. Instead, a computer logs your entry and exit dates automatically.
On your first trip after EES started, staff take your fingerprints and a facial photo. This happens at a kiosk or booth at the border. Later trips are usually quicker, because your details are already stored.
EES does not decide whether you can enter Europe. It simply records that you did, and for how long. Border staff still make the final entry decision, just as before.
You will meet EES at external Schengen border crossing points, including airports, ports and rail terminals. For travellers using Eurostar from St Pancras or Eurotunnel from Folkestone, Schengen border checks take place in the UK under the existing juxtaposed-control arrangements. The exact equipment and process can vary by location.
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is an online authorisation, not a visa.
You apply before you travel. The form asks for your passport details, some background questions, and other information required for the application.
ETIAS is not yet active. As of September 2026, UK travellers cannot submit an application. The EU has said it expects ETIAS to launch in the last quarter of 2026, though this date is not yet confirmed.
Once live, the fee will be €20 per application. This is higher than the €7 figure first proposed, which the European Commission has since revised. Children under 18 and adults over 70 will not need to pay.
Your ETIAS authorisation links electronically to your passport. If your passport is lost, stolen, or replaced, you will need a new ETIAS authorisation to match it.
ETIAS is broadly similar to the US ESTA scheme. Most applications should be approved quickly. Some may need extra checks, which can take longer. A small number of applications may be refused.
Travellers should always check the latest ETIAS visa requirements before applying.
ETIAS should also not be confused with a Schengen visa. UK citizens generally do not need a Schengen visa for short visits under the visa-free rules, although requirements can vary depending on the circumstances. The Schengen visa requirements for UK citizens can help clarify when different rules may apply.
Yes. Once ETIAS launches, most eligible UK travellers will need both systems for the same trip. They cover different parts of your journey.
You apply for ETIAS online. You pay the fee and wait for approval.
You go through EES. Staff check your passport and, on your first registration, take your fingerprints and facial image where required.
Normal immigration and stay rules apply. This includes the Schengen 90-day rule.
EES records your exit date where applicable. This helps confirm you left within your allowed stay.
Completing ETIAS does not remove the need for a border check. You still queue and still show your passport, even with ETIAS approval.
ETIAS has no confirmed launch date as of September 2026. The EU currently expects it to start in the last quarter of 2026.
This is an expected date, not a confirmed one. Earlier target dates have slipped before.
UK travellers cannot apply yet. Be cautious of websites claiming to process official ETIAS applications before applications open. Some sites may charge extra fees for a service that will eventually be available through the official ETIAS system.
Always check the Official ETIAS Portal for the latest confirmed status before applying.
EES itself is free. There is no charge to register your fingerprints and facial image at the border.
ETIAS will cost €20 per application once it launches. This fee applies to most travellers aged 18 to 70.
Children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the ETIAS fee. They will still need an ETIAS authorisation where required, just without the charge.
EES is not an online paid application. It happens automatically as part of your border check, at no extra cost.
EES applies to 29 Schengen area countries. ETIAS applies to 30 countries. The extra country is Cyprus. ABTA Travel Insights provides further information on the European travel changes.
Cyprus is an EU member, but it is not part of the Schengen area. It has agreed to use ETIAS ahead of full Schengen membership, but it does not yet use EES. Time spent in Cyprus does not count towards your Schengen 90-day allowance.
The Republic of Ireland is different again. Ireland is an EU member but has never joined Schengen. Neither EES nor ETIAS applies to travel to Ireland.
Being an EU member does not automatically mean a country uses EES or ETIAS. Schengen membership, not EU membership, is what usually determines whether EES applies.
Check your passport is valid and has enough time left before you travel.
Check whether your destination is in the Schengen area or covered by ETIAS.
Check whether ETIAS applies to your trip before you book.
Use only official ETIAS information and the Official ETIAS Portal once applications open.
Allow extra time at the border for your first EES registration.
Expect fingerprint and facial image checks where EES applies.
Understand the Schengen 90-day-in-180-day rule for your trip length.
Keep your passport details accurate and up to date.
Check current travel advice close to your departure date.
Sort travel insurance before you go, in case your plans change.
A passport that needs renewing should be dealt with well before departure. Current UK passport renewal guidance can help with expected processing times.
It is also worth checking all required travel documents before departure. A documents checklist for travelling abroad can help identify anything missing.
Common problems such as incorrect passport details, insufficient validity or missing documents can cause unnecessary travel disruption. Checking UK travel document mistakes to avoid before departure can help prevent these issues.
Travel insurance is also worth arranging before an international trip, particularly where cancellations, medical treatment or other unexpected costs could affect your plans. Consider the level of travel insurance cover that suits your trip.
Once you know which requirements apply, you can compare flights to Europe for your journey.
ETIAS = before you travel.
EES = at the border.
ETIAS = online authorisation.
EES = digital entry and exit record.
Neither replaces normal passport checks.
Both systems exist to make European borders more secure. Neither should stop you enjoying your trip, as long as you plan ahead and check your documents early.
Quick answers to common questions. Reach out if you need more help.
No, ETIAS and EES involve different parts of your journey. You apply for ETIAS online before you travel. EES happens automatically at the border, with no separate application.
ETIAS is expected to cost €20, while EES is free. The ETIAS fee applies to most adults aged 18 to 70, with under-18s and over-70s exempt.
Yes, most eligible UK travellers will need both once ETIAS launches. ETIAS covers your pre-travel authorisation, while EES covers your record at the border.
No, ETIAS covers one more country than EES. ETIAS applies to 30 countries, including Cyprus, while EES applies to 29 Schengen area countries.
Yes, an ETIAS application can be refused. This can happen if the application raises security or immigration concerns, or if required information is missing or incorrect.
ETIAS applications are not yet open, and no exact date is confirmed. The EU currently expects a last-quarter-2026 launch, but this timeline could still change.
An approved ETIAS authorisation is expected to last three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It should cover multiple trips within that time.
No, EES does not replace the 90-day rule. The 90-day-in-180-day limit still applies to your stay. EES simply gives border authorities an electronic record of relevant entry and exit dates.
