Flying to Europe? What Non-EU Travelers Should Know Before Heading to Europe

The European Union is preparing to roll out a new border security system that will change the way many travelers enter the region. Beginning on October 12, 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will take effect across the Schengen Area, replacing the decades-old practice of stamping passports with a faster, more secure digital process.

Under the EES, all non-EU nationals—including visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom—will have their biometric data (fingerprints and facial details) scanned and verified at passport control. Each border crossing will be logged digitally, recording the time and place of entry and exit. The system is designed to streamline border checks, reduce wait times, and strengthen security by preventing overstays and identifying fraudulent travel documents.

Photo by Gustavo Fring: https://www.pexels.com/photo/stylish-woman-with-suitcase-and-bag-walking-on-street-near-modern-airport-terminal-3885493/

For travelers, the shift is significant but not burdensome. There is no advance application, no fee, and no extra paperwork required to comply with the EES. The process takes place directly at passport control, where kiosks and automated systems will be available to speed things up.

The system applies only to short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period across all participating Schengen countries. Those exempt include EU and Schengen citizens, Irish and Cypriot nationals, and anyone holding a valid long-stay visa or residency permit.

Some confusion has arisen around the EES, with travelers mistaking it for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). While both initiatives are part of the EU’s modernization of border security, they are very different. The EES will be operational in 2025, while ETIAS is not expected until late 2026.

When it launches, ETIAS will require travelers from visa-exempt countries—including Americans, Canadians, Australians, and British citizens—to apply online for travel authorization before coming to Europe. The application will cost €20, will be valid for up to three years (or until the applicant’s passport expires), and will allow short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It will be linked electronically to the traveler’s passport but will not replace border checks.

As of now, ETIAS is not yet open for applications, and no one should pay third-party websites claiming otherwise. The only legitimate place to apply will be the official European Union website once the system goes live: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias.

In short, travelers heading to Europe in 2025 need only be aware of the EES, which requires no action on their part beyond submitting biometric data at the border. ETIAS, the system requiring prior online authorization and a small fee, will not come into play until the following year.

Header Photo Credit: Gustavo Fring https://www.pexels.com/photo/stylish-woman-with-suitcase-and-bag-walking-on-street-near-modern-airport-terminal-3885493/