France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and more make major travel rule changes for British holidaymakers

Published on February 27, 2025

British holidaymakers traveling to France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and more will face new visa-waiver and biometric entry rules in 2025. Prepare for major changes.

The long-awaited and highly debated £6 visa-waiver for UK travelers visiting the EU has been postponed once again, now expected to launch no earlier than November 2025. This delay means British tourists can still travel visa-free to destinations like France, Spain, Italy, and Germany for now.

However, two major travel policy shifts are on the horizon:

1. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) – A £6 visa-waiver required for British tourists visiting most European countries.
2. The European Entry/Exit System (EES) – A new biometric system replacing passport stamping, requiring fingerprint and facial scans when entering EU countries.

What This Means for UK Tourists

When Etias comes into effect, UK travelers will need to complete an online application for approval before their trip. At the same time, the EES system will implement compulsory biometric screenings for non-EU visitors, sparking concerns about potential delays at major UK-EU entry points, including ferry crossings at Dover and Calais. Additionally, key airports in 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, and Switzerland are expected to experience longer processing times for British travelers.

Etias: What UK Travelers Need to Know

How Will Etias Work?

• British citizens will need to apply for Etias online and pay €7 (around £6) before traveling.
• After approval, Etias will remain valid for up to three years or until the associated passport reaches its expiration date, whichever comes first.
• Applies to travelers from 63 visa-exempt countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.

Where Will You Need Etias?

British travelers will need Etias approval to visit:

• 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 also required for microstates like Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City.

How to Apply for Etias

• Etias applications will be available exclusively through the official EU website.
• Processing typically takes minutes but can take up to 30 days in rare cases.
• Travelers must provide personal details, passport information, and pay the €7 fee.

• Important: As of now, Etias is not yet open for registration. Beware of unofficial third-party websites.

EES: The New Biometric System Replacing Passport Stamps

What is the European Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The EES will replace manual passport stamping with an automated biometric system, requiring:

• Fingerprint scans
• Facial recognition scans
• Automated entry & exit tracking

Where Will EES Apply?

EES will be implemented in all 29 countries requiring Etias, including 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, and Switzerland.

Why is EES Being Introduced?

The EU aims to:

• Strengthen border security
• Track overstays
• Reduce fraudulent travel documents

However, concerns remain over delays at key UK-EU border points, particularly:

• Dover-Calais ferry crossings
• Eurostar terminals in London, Paris & Brussels
• Busy airports like Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol & Frankfurt

Why Have Etias & EES Been Delayed Again?

• Etias, initially planned for 2023, is now postponed until late 2025 due to technical challenges, infrastructure issues, and staffing concerns.

• EES was originally scheduled for 2022 but has been delayed multiple times, with the latest update confirming that it won’t launch before mid-to-late 2025.

• The European Commission has stated that Etias will only be enforced six months after EES is operational, meaning Etias may not take effect until 2026.

How Will These Changes Affect British Travelers?

• Longer Wait Times – Travelers entering 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, and Switzerland will face new security checks and possible delays.

• New Costs – A mandatory £6 fee for Etias will be required every three years.

• Stricter Documentation – UK travelers must ensure their passports are valid for at least three months beyond their trip.

• Potential Travel Disruptions – UK tourists may face queues at key airports, ferry terminals, and Eurostar stations.

What Should UK Travelers Do Now?

• Stay updated – Monitor EU announcements on Etias and EES launch dates.
• Check passport validity – Ensure your passport is valid at least three months beyond your travel dates.
• Prepare for biometric checks – Expect new fingerprint and facial scans.
• Arrive early – Give yourself extra time for potential airport and border delays.

While UK travelers can still visit 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, and Switzerland without a visa in 2024, these upcoming changes will redefine European travel for Brits.