Govt Reminder Of New EU Entry/Exit System
The Government of Bermuda London Office advised “of the European Union’s [EU] planned introduction of the Entry/Exit System [EES] in 2025, a new digital border management system that will change requirements for British nationals traveling to Schengen area countries.”
A Government spokesperson said, “Under the new system, UK passport holders will be required to register their biometric information upon arrival at Schengen area ports or airports. This biometric registration will replace the current practice of manually stamping passports upon entry to the EU.
“On your first visit to the Schengen area, you will be required to create a digital record by submitting your biometric details—such as fingerprints and a photograph— at dedicated registration booths. You will not need to provide any personal information before you travel to a Schengen area country.
“As the EES is implemented, travellers may experience longer queue times upon arrival in Schengen area countries due to the biometric registration process. Furthermore, at certain departure points in the UK, such as Dover, Eurotunnel, and St Pancras, there may be increased wait times as EES registration is completed before passengers depart.
“The exact date for the introduction of the EES has not yet been confirmed. Travellers are advised to check with their travel operators for updates and to determine whether the EES system will impact their journey.
European Travel Information and Authorisation System [ETIAS]
“Also in 2025, the EU is due to introduce a separate system, called the European Travel Information and Authorization System [ETIAS]. The ETIAS system will require a fee of €7; however, it has not yet been launched, and applications cannot be submitted or paid for at this time.
“ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the following countries:
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
“ETIAS is linked to the traveller’s passport and remains valid for up to three years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If a new passport is issued, a new ETIAS authorization will need to be obtained.
“With a valid ETIAS, travellers may enter the above EU countries as often as needed for short-term stays, typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, please note that ETIAS does not guarantee entry. Upon arrival, border authorities will verify the traveller’s documents and ensure they meet all entry conditions.
“For further details on the EES and ETIAS systems, please refer to the EU’s official Travel Europe website: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en. We encourage all travellers to stay informed and plan accordingly for this upcoming change.”
