British travellers will not need a ‘euro-visa’ until April 2027 at the earliest.
‘Euro-visas’ or the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) has been postponed because of delays in the Entry/ Exit System (EES).
The EES was supposed to replace the requirement for the ‘wet-stamping’ of passports in airports for Brits visiting the European Union and wider Schengen Area.
But for now, British tourists will continue to have their passports stamped and biometrics taken, extending queues at border control.
Only six months after the EES is working at all Schengen Area borders can the ‘euro-visa’ system take effect.
In documents issued in Brussels, it was revealed that EES will not be fully functioning until April 2026, The Independent reported.
The EES was initially due to launch across all Schengen frontiers on November 10, 2024.
However, the plan was scrapped one month before the deadline because the central database and member states weren’t ready.
‘Euro-visas’ or the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) has been postponed because of delays in the Entry/ Exit System (EES)
The Entry/ Exit System (EES) was initially due to launch across all Schengen frontiers on November 10, 2024
The Schengen area includes all EU nations except Ireland and Cyprus, as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
And the frontiers are land borders from the Norway-Russia crossing in the Arctic to the Greece-Turkey frontier in southeast Europe, and every airport with direct flights from the UK and other non-Schengen nations.
Despite more information promised ‘within weeks’ the revised plan has only just become clear.
In information published by the EU Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, it has been proposed that the system be rolled out gradually.
In order for this to happen new regulation must be passed in Brussels.
Brussels has proposed ‘a progressive start of operations of the EES,’ saying: ‘This would give border authorities and the transport industry more time to adjust to the new procedures.’
The plan has been endorsed by Home Affairs ministers and the European Commission, who want to set a specific date in October 2025 for the new EES to begin.
However, at the start, as few as one in 10 frontier posts will be connected to the central database and biometric elements – face and fingerprints – will be optional for the first two months.
Only six months after the Entry/ Exit System (EES) is working at all Schengen Area borders can the ‘euro-visa’ system take effect
The hope is that by April 2026 the ESS will be working across the Schengen Area.
The EU says once the ESS has been fully functional for six months, ‘euro-visas’, will be introduced.
The ‘euro-visa’ will cost seven euros (£6) and be valid for three years, or until a passport expires.
Brits between the ages of 18 and 70 will be able to use the visa waiver for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
Once it has been bought, Britons will get their fingerprints and photograph taken when they enter Europe – just as they do when arriving in the US.
But they will only be made compulsory by April 2027 at the earliest.
The EU says: ‘Starting six months after EES, some 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.’
ESS & ‘euro-visa’ rollout timeline
October 2025: ESS starts being rolled out across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts – with biometrics not mandatory for the first 60 days.
December 2025: Biometrics become mandatory at frontier posts operating the EES.
January 2026: All ‘member states’ operate the EES system but continue to stamp passports.
April 2026: Roll-out of ESS should be complete, but only when the EES is running flawlessly across Europe will passports stop being stamped.
October 2026 (or later): ‘Euro-visas’ may finally come into play. But for the first six months will be optional.
April 2027 (or later): ‘Euro-visas’ become compulsory, though with a concession that travellers without one will, on their first attempt to enter the Schengen Area, be allowed in.
October 2027 (or later): ‘Euro-visas’ are fully compulsory.
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Boost for tourists as Brits are told they will not need a ‘euro-visa’ until 2027 amid red-tape delays
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