EES, ETIAS, & E-Gates Explained - How We Stand Ahead of Winter 2026/27
How you cross the EU border has changed over the last 12 months. The process hasn't been smooth, and as a result there are some big delays expected.
Read on to find out more about the EES rollout and subsequent delays to ETIAS.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
EES was launched across the Schengen Area – most EU states, plus Switzerland, Norway and Iceland – from 12 October 2025.
This is the digitisation of the border process; instead of having your passport stamped on entry and exit to a member state by a human border guard, instead you will approach a computer terminal.
This terminal will scan your passport, take your picture and fingerprints, and ask you a series of question. The exact questions will vary, but are based on standard border crossing questions such as “how long are you staying?” and “have you booked your return travel?”
You will no longer have your passport stamped. This digitisation is designed to make it easier to track the “90 in 180 day” rule – that you can only spend a maximum of 90 days of any 180 day period in the EU.
EES was rolled out in a six month process from October 2025 to April 2026. However, the process has not been smooth, with huge passport queue delays, people missing flights as a result, and several countries just giving up on it for Summer 2026 - Greece paused the process for UK travellers, whilst Finland simply didn't use it from Spring 2026.
Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
ETIAS is a pre-clearance system being rolled out across most of the EU and Schengen Area. It works in a similar way to the ESTA system in the USA and eTA system in Canada.
ETIAS was due to launch in October 2026, six months after full EES implementation. However, with the delays and difficulties with EES rollout this has now been delayed indefinitely. It therefore won't impact winter 2026/27.
You will need to obtain an ETIAS pre-clearance before landing in your destination country. This involves answering a few questions and paying a small processing fee, currently 20EUR
Obtaining an ETIAS pre-clearance is normally instant, but can take up to 96hrs to process – you are advised plan for this well in advance. This is the one area where you advised to prepare in advance, and not fill out the ETIAS form whilst your plane is taxiing to its gate!
E-Gates
In some EU countries, British passport holders, and those from a handful of other “third” countries, can use E-gates, alongside having your passport stamped. Currently, this is done at the discretion of the member state – regular travellers through Geneva will be familiar with the long ski queues at passport control whilst EU passport holders breeze through the E-gates.
There is an expectation for E-gate access for UK passport holders to become mandatory for all Schengen Area countries, however this is unconfirmed at this time. It was due to launch at a similar time to ETIAS, so has followed it in being delayed indefinitely.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK, ETA)
From 2024, visitors to the UK from a handful of “third countries” have been required to apply for the UK’s own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), when visiting the UK. This does not apply to British and Irish citizens, or anyone who has a right to live, study and/or work in the UK (i.e. those with pre-settled status or visa holders).
These cost £16 and can be applied for at the UK government website, www.gov.uk/eta
Final Thoughts
It is important not to panic or stress when thinking about these changes. Many of them will be drip fed in over the coming months and even years, with plenty of time to adapt to them. News outlets and social media channels are also very alert to these changes, so information will be passed on in good time.
