EES and ETIAS: official status today (October 2026)
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) and the future travel authorisation ETIAS, in the European Commission's own words, with what UK travellers need to do now according to GOV.UK. No predictions: only official statements, with the date we checked them.
EES
Fully operational since 10 April 2026
Registration of fingerprints and a facial image at the Schengen border for short stays.
ETIAS
Not in operation
Start date: the EU says it will announce it several months before launch.
Your passport
Schengen rules for British passports: 10-year issue rule and 3 months after you leave.
ETIAS: what the European Commission says
ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point.
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
Official source: European Commission – Smart Borders, page updated 14 July 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
We do not publish expected start dates for ETIAS: the Commission says the EU will announce the date several months before launch. Last checked: 17 October 2026.
EES: what the European Commission says
EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026.
The EES is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries using the system.
The system registers the person's name, travel document data, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit, in full respect of fundamental rights and data protection.
As of 10 April 2026, the EES replaces the stamping of passports allowing the automatic detection of overstayers (travellers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay).
On 30 July 2025, the Commission set 12 October 2025 as the launch date for the progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System (EES). The system became fully operational on 10 April 2026.
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) started operations on 12 October 2025 with a progressive roll-out in 29 European countries.
Official source: European Commission – Smart Borders, page updated 14 July 2026 · European Commission – Entry/Exit System (EES), page updated 10 April 2026 · European Commission news, 30 March 2026 – The Entry/Exit System will become fully operational on 10 April 2026, page updated 30 March 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
What UK travellers need to do now (GOV.UK)
This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. There is no cost for EES registration.
On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk.
Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.
You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border on entry to the Schengen area, but EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border and to allow more time for immigration controls when you depart the Schengen area.
If you are departing the Schengen area by plane, allow extra time to reach your departure gate as EES checks may take place before boarding.
If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, any information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.
Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years.
If you are long-term resident in a Schengen country, you are exempt from EES in all Schengen countries.
Official source: GOV.UK (FCDO) – Spain travel advice, Entry requirements: 'New Schengen entry requirements' · page updated 12 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Open Government Licence v3.0. The same text appears in the FCDO advice for other Schengen countries.
Travelling to or from London? Eurostar check-in times by station, with the EES border checks
Official EU website for EES and ETIAS
The EU's official site for travellers is travel-europe.europa.eu: EES page and ETIAS page. Our server could not read it on 17 October 2026 (its security certificate chain was incomplete for automated tools), so we quote the European Commission pages above instead.
This page is information, not legal advice. Border guards apply the rules at the border. Before you travel, check the official pages linked above and your airline, ferry or train operator.
Passport validity rules · Liquids rules by airport · Eurostar check-in times by station, with EES