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New EU Travel Rules - Your EES & ETIAS Questions Answered

All the information you need to navigate your way through the EU's new border systems from Autumn 2024. 

If you don't see your questions below, don't hesitate to contact our team who will be happy to answer any of your queries.

New EU Border Entry/Exit System (EES)

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital border system for non-EU travellers.

EES requires travellers to register their biometric details at the EU border. It uses electronic kiosks - similar to self-service passport machines - to take travellers' picture and fingerprints.

It applies to British nationals visiting EU and Schengen countries (including Iceland and Switzerland) but not Cyprus and Ireland. The digital system replaces the need for British travellers to have their passports manually stamped at the EU border.

  • Groups travelling to Europe by air will encounter EES checks on arrival at their destination airport.
  • School groups crossing the Channel by ferry or rail will have their EES checks at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel or Eurostar terminals. 

The EU set a launch date of 10 November 2024, but this has now been delayed. We are waiting for a new launch date for EES to be announced.

The EES is part of a broader range of border controls being introduced by the EU. See our EU travel checklist for information about other incoming requirements such as ETIAS. 

The EES applies to British citizens and other non-EU nationals visiting countries in the Schengen area. This encompasses all EU countries except from Ireland and Cyprus. Non-EU states such as Iceland and Switzerland are also part of the Schengen area.

See the visa requirements for any students on your school trip who are not British nationals.

No, children are not exempt from the EES border checks. However, children under 12 years only need to have their picture registered and will not need to provide a fingerprint.

The checks are expected to take a few minutes per person and so expect longer queue times while your group is registered for the first time. We will factor this into your itinerary timings.

School groups crossing into Europe via the Channel will be checked before boarding the train or ferry as follows:

  • Folkestone Eurotunnel Terminal – note that everyone in your group will need to disembark the coach to register their biometrics at one of 100 new kiosks before boarding Le Shuttle.  
  • Port of Dover - there are 24 kiosks for the exclusive use of coach passengers at Dover. Passengers will need to get off the coach to pass through the kiosks before taking the ferry crossing.
  • 50 kiosks have been installed at St Pancras International for people to register their biometrics before boarding the train. Eurostar expects registration to be quick and easy.

For school trips travelling by air we will allow extra time for EES checks to be completed before you clear arrivals and resume your onward journey.

We are in regular contact with the ferry operators, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and Eurostar about their EES preparations.

There are 100 EES kiosks for passengers passing through the Eurotunnel Terminal and 24 EES booths at the Port of Dover for the exclusive use of coach groups (there is a separate system in place for car passengers who will be registered in their vehicle by agents using tablets).

It has been reported that border officials will have the discretion to wave people through to minimise queues and disruption during the system's introduction. Nevertheless, groups travelling through the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel Terminal at Folkestone should expect increased wait times while passengers complete EES registration for the first time. We will allow plenty of extra time in your itinerary for your group to register before boarding the ferry or Le Shuttle.

Passengers' biometric details will be stored for three years, making subsequent EU border controls much quicker.

No. Once you’ve registered, your biometrics will be saved for three years. The next time you visit the EU you only need to verify your fingerprint or photograph – a much quicker process. In fact, biometric passport holders should be able to use the self-service passport machines as no manual passport stamp will be required once EES is operational.

It is likely that the EES kiosks will ask for extra details about the trip. Students should be prepared to tick YES to the questions below and party leaders should carry the group's travel documents as evidence if required:

Do you have the following documents?

  • Purpose of the stay (tourism / school trip)
  • Means of subsistance (your itinerary helps demonstrate that the group has the means to support themselves during their short stay)
  • Proof of accommodation (as per your itineray)
  • Medical care insurance (EHIC and group travel insurance)
  • Return journey tickets (as per your itinerary)

 

 

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

The ETIAS is not yet operational.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an online visa waiver scheme for UK citizens, similar to ESTA in the USA. Once in place, all non-EU passport holders, including children, will need to apply online for permission to visit the EU and Schengen countries (including Iceland and Switzerland). ETIAS is not required for school trips to Ireland as the UK currently maintains a Common Travel Area with Ireland.

The ETIAS travel permit is expected to cost €7 for adults and should be renewed every three years.

 

When operational, everyone in your group will need a digital ETIAS permit to visit the EU or Iceland on a school trip. 

The cost of the ETIAS will be €7 for adults and free for under-18s and will be valid for three years. 

Though children are exempt from the fee, they will still need a digital ETIAS permit to travel to the EU.

There is no official launch date for the ETIAS yet.

The EU hopes that the new travel permit will be available 6 months after the new EES border system comes into force in Autumn 2024. This means the earliest possible implementation date is Summer 2025, after which there is expected to be a six-month transitional period followed by a further six-month grace period. 

We'll update party leaders as soon as further details are released.

The ETIAS will apply to British citizens and other non-EU nationals visiting these Schengen countries:

  • All EU countries excluding Ireland and Cyprus
  • Plus the non-EU countries of Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and Lichtenstein

Also see the visa requirements for any students on your school trip who are not British nationals.

Yes. Once operational, travellers of all ages will need a ETIAS permit to take a school trip to the EU or Iceland. However, children under 18 years are exempt from the €7 fee.

More Travel Advice for EU School Trips

Travel is a little different now we've left the EU. Read our Essential Checklist for Your School Trip to Europe for a handy update on passport validity, healthcare and visas.

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