New Travel Rules for UK Tourists Going to Europe: EES and ETIAS

Big changes are coming for UK tourists traveling to Europe. Two new systems, the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), will soon be in place. ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents, is working hard to get all the details from both European and UK authorities.

Recently, ABTA’s Luke Petherbridge traveled to Brussels to talk with officials in charge of EES and ETIAS. At the same time, other ABTA teams met with the UK’s Foreign Office and the Department of Transport to discuss these new travel rules.

These discussions are important for understanding how the new systems will work and addressing any concerns. One main concern is that EES might slow down border checks at some ports and smaller airports, causing delays.

ABTA is also finding out how the changes will be communicated to travel agencies and tourists. They plan to share information with their members to help them assist travelers.

ABTA will keep updating their website with the latest information. The EES system is expected to start in Autumn 2024, and ETIAS in mid-2025. They will update everyone as soon as they have confirmed dates. For the latest updates, you can visit their information page at www.abta.com/eesandetias.