EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

New EU Entry Requirements: EES & ETIAS Systems

To support customers travelling to Europe, we’ve summarised the upcoming changes under the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). It is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct documentation for travel to the EU and re-entry to the UK. For official guidance, please refer to: 

• UK Government site: www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system
• EU Official EES site: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en
• EU Official ETIAS site: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

We've also provided a summary of key information and frequently asked questions below to help you prepare.

What is the EES (Entry / Exit System)?

The EU Entry/Exit system is a new electronic system that will replace the physical stamping of passports when you go through passport control when arriving in and departing from your destination. It will register all entries and exits to and from the participating European countries, which means it will register your movements every time you cross a border in or out of the EU/Schengen area.

This new system will replace the physical stamping of passports when you go through passport control when arriving in and departing from your destination.

What data will be collected at the border with EES?

Travellers will be required to provide personal data at the border of the European countries using the EES.

This will include data listed in your travel document (e.g. full name, date of birth, etc.), date and place of each entry and exit, facial image and fingerprints (called ‘biometric data’) and whether you were refused entry.

What happens if you refuse to have your biometric data taken?

If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry into the territory of the European countries using the EES.

Who will the EES system apply to?

It will apply to those travelling for a short stay, from what the EU call a ‘third country’. This is travellers who are not an EU citizen or a citizen of the Schengen area. For the purpose of the EES, ‘non-EU national’ means a traveller not holding the nationality of any European Union country or the nationality of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

A short stay refers to visits, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period. This period is calculated as a single period for all the European countries using the EES.

Which countries will it apply to?

The EES will apply to 29 EU countries. Below are the specific destinations offered by Olympic Holidays to which the EES regulations will apply:

Croatia
Greece
Malta
Portugal
Spain

What are the benefits of the EES?

The Entry/Exit System modernises the management of the EU’s external borders, gradually improving the experience for travellers. It identifies overstayers and provides reliable data on entries, exits, and refusals of entry. This system will effectively combat identity fraud by collecting biometric data.

Travellers are encouraged to refer to the only official EU government website for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the new EES system, including details on how and for how long personal data is stored: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS):

The EU has also stated that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will start sometime between October and December 2026.

What is the ETIAS system (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)?

ETIAS will be the EU’s new travel authorisation system which you will need to apply for ahead of your travels to the European countries using the ETIAS system. It is a similar concept to the USA’s ESTA and the UK’s ETA scheme.

Who will the ETIAS system apply to?

Visa-exempt travellers from ‘third countries’ will need to apply for an ETIAS. Put simply, if you are travelling to the EU for a short stay and are not a citizen of an EU or Schengen country, such as a British Passport, then you will need an ETIAS.

A short stay refers to visits, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.

Each traveller is required to complete an individual ETIAS application, as it is directly linked to their personal travel document.

Which counties will it apply to?

The ETIAS will apply to 30 EU countries. Below are the specific destinations offered by Olympic Holidays to which the ETIAS regulations will apply:

Croatia
Cyprus
Greece
Malta
Portugal
Spain

How much will ETIAS cost and how long will it be valid for?

ETIAS will cost €20.00 (euros). Applicants who are under 18 or above 70 years of age are exempt from this payment.

Your ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for three years or until the travel document you used in your application expires - whichever comes first. You will be able to travel on multiple trips during this period using the same ETIAS. However, if your passport expires during the ETIAS validity period, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS with your new passport. It will also not be valid if it expires during your stay, in these cases you would need to apply for a new ETIAS in advance of your travels, to cover the duration of your stay.

How to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation?

You can fill in the application form using either official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application.

More information about how to apply will be provided once a launch date has been set.

Processing your ETIAS application:

Most applications are processed within minutes. It is possible, however, that your application may take longer to process. If so, you will receive a decision within four days. Please note that this period could be extended by up to 14 days if you are requested to provide additional information or documentation, or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview. This is why you should apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance of your planned journey.

Once you have applied, you will receive an email confirming the submission of your application, which will include your unique ETIAS application number: make sure you keep this number for future reference. Once your application has been processed, you will receive another email informing you about its outcome. When you get your ETIAS travel authorisation please make sure your name, passport number and other information is correct: if there is any mistake, you will not be allowed to cross the border.

As your ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to your travel document, make sure to carry the same document which you used in your ETIAS application. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to board your flight, bus or ship, or to enter any of the European country requiring ETIAS.

We strongly recommend that you obtain ETIAS approval before confirming your holiday with us, as standard terms and conditions will apply if you are unable to travel due to issues with your ETIAS application.

Travellers are encouraged to consult the only official EU government website for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the new ETIAS system, including application guidance once it is implemented: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en