British travellers heading to Europe will continue to have their passports stamped, as well as biometrics taken, for over a year before the new visa permit is introduced
British travellers heading to Europe will have their passport stamped in addition to their biometrics taken, for at least a year, before the new visa permit is rolled out, it has been reported.
British travellers will not need an online permit to visit the European Union and wider Schengen Area until April 2027 at the earliest, according to research conducted by The Independent. However, before it is introduced in full, there will be a staggered roll-out of the delayed Entry/Exit System (EES), which will still require passports to be stamped as well as biometrics taken for at least a year.
The EES was originally due to implemented on November 10, 2024, but was postponed a month prior as it became clear that member states and the central database were not ready. Once introduced, EES is set to replace the requirement of stamping passports.
According to The Independent, Brussels has proposed “a progressive start of operations of the EES,” stating: “This would give border authorities and the transport industry more time to adjust to the new procedures.” But a gradual roll-out will also require new regulation to be passed in Brussels, as originally the system was due to have a “big bang” introduction.
Home Affairs ministers have endorsed this plan, with the European Commission – the EU’s civil service – to set a specific date in October of this year for the EES to begin.
Only once EES has been introduced and operational for six months at all Schengen Area frontiers can the Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias), known informally as a euro-visa, take place. The frontiers included land borders from the Norway-Russia crossing in the Arctic and the Greece-Turkey frontier in southeast Europe, as well as every airport with direct flights from the UK and other non-Schengen nations.
The aim is that by April 2026, EES will be working across the Schengen Area. The EU has said it must be fully functional for six months before Etias is introduced, and then only on a voluntary basis for a further six months. This means that the earliest date for Etias to be implemented is in April 2027.
Looking ahead, by the end of this year the EU’s EES will start across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of people crossing the border, in or out, of the Schengen Area. However, the biometric elements, including facial scans and fingerprints, will not be mandatory for the first 60 days and passports will continue to be stamped.
By December, biometrics will then become mandatory at frontier posts operating the EES.
Going into next year, in January, “member states should operate the Entry/Exit System – with biometric functionalities – at a minimum of half of their border crossing points”. This means that the majority of visitors are likely to experience “double red tape”, as they will need to provide biometrics for EES but will continue to have their passports stamped as will.
The UK travel sector has spent over £100 million preparing for EES, with Eurotunnel, the Port of Dover and Eurostar all installing new equipment and systems.
By April 2026, the roll-out of EES should be complete, and only once it runs without fault across the continent will passports stop being stamped. Later, in October (or potentially later), Etias may finally come into play. The EU said: “Etias is expected to follow in the last quarter of 2026.” However, for the first six months it will be optional.
When introduced, any British traveller or other “third-party national” will require an Etias, which will cost €7 (£6), and by October 2027 (or later), Etias will be fully compulsory. However, there will be a concession that travellers without one will, on their first attempt to enter the Schengen Area, be allowed in.