Two EU border changes keep coming up for weekend travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries. One is already in use and the other hasn’t started. Here’s where things stand in mid-October 2026.
What’s happening
EES (Entry/Exit System) replaces passport stamps with a digital record. The EU began the rollout on 12 October 2025 and aimed to have it fully in place by 10 April 2026. On your first trip into the Schengen area since the launch, you may be asked to register your fingerprints and a photo, either at a kiosk or at the desk. UK government advice says you don’t need to do anything before you reach the border. Registration is free, and your record lasts three years. Children aged 11 and under have a photo taken but no fingerprints. Travel industry reports say queues and processes still vary from one border to another.
If you travel by Eurostar, Le Shuttle or ferry from Dover, the checks happen in the UK before you leave.
ETIAS is the online travel authorisation that visa-free visitors will eventually need. It is not running yet, and applications are not open. The EU had aimed for the last quarter of 2026 and has promised to announce the start date well in advance. As of mid-October no date has been published, so you don’t need ETIAS for trips this autumn or winter.
What it means for your weekend
On your first trip since EES began, give yourself more time at the border. That matters most on short trips with tight Friday-evening or Sunday-night connections. Leave extra time for Eurostar at St Pancras and for the port at Dover. Once you’re registered, later crossings should be quicker.
Ignore websites that offer to "process" an ETIAS application now. The official system isn’t taking applications.
What to do
- Allow extra time at the border on your first crossing since EES began, including on the way home.
- Check your passport meets Schengen rules for issue and expiry dates.
- Bookmark the official EU travel site, travel-europe.europa.eu, for the ETIAS start date.
Planning a quick hop? See best city breaks in Europe or our Paris guide.
