What is actually going on?
We know that there are a lot of articles about these changes right now, but they can be a little overwhelming with more information than you actually need as a tourist. So below, you'll find our simple guide to what the new travel rules are in Europe, and how they'll actually affect you.
A simple summary of the new rules for when you travel to Europe:
Soon, to enter most countries in Europe as a tourist, you’ll need to have your face and fingerprints scanned to make the border control process more modern and effective. This will come into place on the 10th November 2024.
Then, in May 2025 there are plans to introduce an online check (ETIAS) that you have to do before you travel, which will grant you permission to enter Europe for 3 years. You’ll still have to go through border control when you arrive. This online check costs €7, which is a one time purchase per application.
Here’s some more detail about the new travel laws:
On the 10th November 2024, every country within the Schengen Area will be introducing an automated IT Entry and Exit System (EES) for registering non EU nationals every time they cross the border. These new rules are the law and you can be refused entry if you don't comply.
Here's the full list of countries where the EES will be used (The Schengen Area):
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including the Balearic and Canary Islands), Sweden, and Switzerland.
What will change when the EES comes into place?
When you arrive in the Schengen area, the border force will collect normal information from your passport such as your full name, date of birth, date of entry and exit of each place. But then they will also collect biometric data (face and fingerprint scans).
They are doing this to help to reduce identity fraud, prevent serious crimes such as terrorism and identify people who have overstayed or been refused entry. If you refuse to have your face or fingerprints scanned, you’ll be refused entry to the country you’re visiting.
You can find more information about how your data will be stored, protected and your rights here.
The EES is being implemented on the 10th of November 2024. Then, around 6 months later, expected in May 2025, they are planning to introduce an Electric Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This is an online check to grant you permission to enter the Schengen Area of Europe.
It will mean that non-nationals will have to pay 7 euros to request entry to the area before travelling. It will be valid for 3 years (unless your passport expires before then).
However, even if it goes smoothly and does get introduced in May 2025, there will be a 6 month grace period where it isn’t actually mandatory to do the online request and pay the fee. This means, as it stands now, you won’t be legally required to complete the ETIAS check or pay to enter Europe before November 2025.
The EU are suggesting that you should get your ETIAS authorisation before you book any flights and hotels for your trip. The aim is that it will be granted in a matter of minutes, but it could take up to 4 days. If your application is flagged for some reason, you could have to provide some additional information.
Non-nationals are allowed to stay in this area for a “short stay”. This means you are allowed up to 90 days in this area, within a 180 day period.
If you’re from certain countries such as the UK, EU, Canada, USA, New Zealand or Australia, you don’t need a visa for a short stay. Citizens of many countries will need to apply for a Schengen Visa. For a full list of who will need a visa and who won’t, please click here.
The 90-day rule is a little tricky to understand sometimes. If you’re only going on one trip for a few weeks, you don’t need to worry at all. But if you’re planning a big interrailing trip, backpacking across Europe or spending an entire season abroad, you need to check that you don’t overstay.
The 180 day period is a rolling time frame. This means your 180 days start on the day you enter the Schengen Area, and you can be in any of the listed countries for up to 90 of the days in this period.
If you stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days without a break, you then must not re-enter Europe for another 90 days. After 180 days in total, your days allowed in Europe will come back one by one as the time period rolls over.
If you stay in Europe for 30 days, then go home and have a 10 day break, you still only have 60 days remaining for that 180-day period. Going back to your home country doesn't reset the time period.
The easiest way to figure out how many days you have left is to count back 180 days from the planned end date of your trip. This is your 180-day time period. Then, count how many days you’ll be in the Schengen Area (any of the countries listed above) over that time period. If it’s more than 90, you’d be overstaying. The new EES system makes it easier for Border Control to know if you’ve overstayed, so be wary. if you’re not sure, check using a Schengen Days Calculator
