ETIAS vs EES Explained: What UK Families Need to Know Before Travelling to Europe

If you’re planning to visit Europe with your family, you’ll want to get familiar with these important travel updates.

From late 2025, two new systems, EES and ETIAS, will change how families enter and leave Europe’s Schengen Zone. These are part of a wider set of EU travel changes for UK and US families, designed to modernise border control.

Both have been in the works for years, but for most travellers, they mean extra steps and new checks, especially during the first few months after launch.

For families, that matters. It means thinking ahead about paperwork, airport timing, and how to keep everyone calm and comfortable while navigating an unfamiliar process.

This guide explains ETIAS vs EES in plain English and answers the questions parents are already asking, like:

• Will these new systems make travelling with kids harder?
• Will we still be able to visit Europe visa-free?
• Do our children need to register fingerprints?
• How long before our trip do we need to apply for ETIAS?
• And what happens if we stay in Europe for more than 90 days?

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what to expect at the border, how to prepare, and how both systems work together so you can focus on what really matters: enjoying your trip.

Why Families Are Feeling Confused

For many UK families, travel to Europe already feels different post-Brexit, and this next round of EU border changes adds even more uncertainty.

Meanwhile, U.S. families, who’ve long enjoyed visa-free entry to Europe, are now hearing about both ETIAS and EES and wondering how these new systems will affect their future trips. Will it be as simple as their current travel routine, or will it mean new forms, fees, and checks at the border?

In short, both groups want the same thing:

• Clear, reliable information
• Smooth border processing
• And the confidence that their family holiday will go as planned.

That’s exactly what this Schengen border rules for families guide is here to deliver.

EES and ETIAS: Understanding the Two Systems

Two new systems, EES (Entry/Exit System) and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), are being introduced at different times. They sound similar but serve different purposes.

Think of it like this:

• EES is what happens when you arrive at the border.
• ETIAS is what happens before you travel.

If you’ve ever searched “ETIAS vs EES — what’s the difference?”, this is the clear breakdown you need.

What Is EES? (Entry/Exit System)

EES replaces the old system of stamping passports when you enter or leave Europe’s Schengen zone (the group of 29 countries that share open internal borders).

Instead of a stamp, your details will be recorded digitally, and for most adults, that includes:

• A facial photo taken at a border kiosk, and
• Fingerprints (for everyone aged 12 and over).

This only needs to be done once. The next time you visit, your information is checked automatically.

What families need to know:

• The first time you use it will take longer, especially for families with children, because everyone must register separately.
• Children under 12 don’t need fingerprints, just a quick photo.
• Queues are likely at airports, ferry ports, and even when crossing by car into countries like France and Spain.
• Once you’re registered, future trips should be faster for the next three years.

It’s worth noting that the EU says EES will “streamline travel,” but in the early months, it’s more likely to slow things down as staff and travellers adapt.

What Is ETIAS? (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

ETIAS is a completely separate system that’s expected to launch in 2026, once EES is running smoothly.

It’s not a visa, but it’s similar to the U.S. ESTA. It’s an online pre-travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa for short stays.

You’ll fill out a quick online form, pay €20 per adult, and usually get approval within minutes. Once approved, it’s valid for three years (or until your passport expires).
Travellers under 18 or over 70 won’t pay the fee.

What families need to know:

• You’ll need to complete one application per traveller, including children.
• It’s best to apply a week or two before your trip in case extra information is requested.
• ETIAS doesn’t replace border checks; it simply confirms that you’re cleared to travel before you arrive.

How They Work Together

Here’s how a typical trip will look once both systems are in place:

1. Before travel: You apply for ETIAS online and get approved.
2. At the border: You use EES for the biometric check (photo and fingerprints).
3. During your stay – Both systems track your entry and exit digitally to enforce the 90-days-in-180 rule.

You’ll still be able to travel visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. That part isn’t changing.
The difference is that now, Europe will have a digital record of exactly when you enter and leave.

What Families Should Expect

For most families, the new border systems won’t stop you from travelling, but they will change how you move through airports and land borders, especially the first time you use them.
Here’s what the new process will actually look and feel like.

1. Your First Trip After EES Launch

Let’s say you’re flying from London to Paris, New York to Rome, or Manchester to Malaga.
When you arrive in Europe for the first time after October 2025, you’ll be directed to a biometric kiosk.

Each adult (and every child over 12) will:

• Scan their passport
• Look into a camera for a quick photo
• Place their fingertips on a small glass pad

It’s straightforward but can take a little longer than a stamp, particularly if multiple family members need to go through one at a time. Expect the first visit to take an extra 20–40 minutes at busy times while everyone registers.

Tip: If travelling with kids, prepare them for what’s coming. Let them know it’s just like “taking a photo at the airport.”

2. Driving or Ferry Crossings into Europe

If you’re crossing into France or Spain by car or ferry (from Dover, Plymouth, or Portsmouth), you’ll also use EES, but these borders may take longer to adapt.

Families who drive should:

• Build in an extra hour for border formalities.
• Make sure everyone’s passports are easily reachable.
• Pack snacks, water, and entertainment for kids in case of long queues at the terminal.

Border officials in Calais and Bilbao are expected to run mixed systems at first (manual + digital), which may slow processing during the initial rollout period.

3. The First Time You Use ETIAS (from 2026)

When ETIAS goes live, you’ll need to apply online before your trip.
The process is simple but worth doing early. You’ll:

• Fill out an online form (passport details, address, security questions)
• Pay €20 per adult
• Wait for approval (usually instant, but allow up to 96 hours)

Once approved, the authorisation links automatically to your passport. There’s nothing to print or carry.

Tip: Create a digital folder for your family’s travel documents (passports, insurance, ETIAS confirmations) so you can access everything quickly when booking flights or accommodation.

How Long Will It All Take?

No one knows the exact timings yet, but early testing in Sweden, Italy, and Portugal suggests:

• First-time EES registration: ~20–40 minutes at major airports
• Future entries (already registered): 5–10 minutes
• ETIAS application: 10 minutes online + a few minutes for approval

It’s not overly dramatic (in theory), but it is more steps. If you’re connecting flights or travelling during school holidays, it’s best to add a buffer of at least an hour to your arrival plans.

What to Expect from Border Staff

Most border agents understand that families are nervous. You’ll see signs and guidance in English, and in larger airports, staff will help guide families with young children through the process.

But at smaller ports or regional airports, patience will go a long way. The early months of any new system are usually messy, so managing expectations can make a big difference when travelling with little ones.

Time-Saving Tips for Families

When you’re managing passports, hand luggage, snacks, and small humans, every extra minute at the border counts.
Here’s how to make your journey smoother when the new EU systems take effect.

1. Apply Early (When ETIAS Goes Live)

• Don’t leave it to the week before your trip. Apply for ETIAS at least two weeks ahead once the system launches in 2026.
• Keep a shared digital folder (Google Drive, Dropbox, or your phone’s Files app) with your family’s passport scans and ETIAS confirmations. It saves last-minute scrambles at check-in.
• Remember: ETIAS lasts three years, so you can reuse it for multiple holidays.

2. Plan for the First EES Registration to Take Longer

• The first time your family enters Europe after October 2025 will take the longest.
• Build extra buffer time into arrival plans, especially if you’re connecting to another flight, onward train, or collecting hire cars
• Keep kids’ passports in one wallet, ready for each scan.
• Travelling with children under 12? Remind them it’s just a quick “photo like at school picture day.”

3. Use Airline and Border Apps

• Some countries (like Sweden, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, and Greece) will offer the EES pre-registration app: use it if available to cut queue time.
• Always download your airline’s app (EasyJet, Ryanair, BA, Delta, etc.) for live gate changes and rebooking options if delays cascade.
• For US travellers, the Mobile Passport Control app may still speed up the return leg into the States.

4. Choose Flights Strategically

• Avoid arrivals that coincide with school-holiday peaks (Saturday morning flights into Spain, for example).
• Early morning or late evening flights often have shorter immigration queues.
• If connecting in Europe, choose longer layovers during the first EES months (2 hours minimum).

5. Check Live Border Updates

• Before leaving home, look up Aena (Spain), Aeroports de Paris, or Fraport (Germany) updates for expected wait times.
• In the UK, ferry operators like DFDS and Brittany Ferries post real-time port alerts.
• Following your airline or airport’s Twitter/X feed can give faster updates than email notifications.

6. Pack for Delays the Family Way

• Have snacks, refillable bottles, and small distractions ready (card games, audiobooks, downloaded shows).
• Keep a lightweight power bank handy; phone batteries drain quickly when queuing or using travel apps.
• Carry a small zip-lock pouch with travel essentials: kids’ medication, wipes, or ear defenders if noise triggers stress.

7. Check Travel Insurance Coverage

• Confirm your policy covers delays, cancellations, and missed connections due to border issues.
• Some insurers now specify coverage for “government system disruptions.” It’s worth scanning the fine print.
• If you travel frequently, consider annual multi-trip family insurance for peace of mind.

8. Keep Perspective

The first few months of any new system are rarely smooth. Queues will build, staff will still be learning, and travellers will get frustrated, and that’s normal. But once you’ve done it once, you’ll know exactly what to expect next time.

Europe isn’t becoming harder to visit; it’s just adding an extra layer of admin. If you plan ahead, keep your documents ready, and allow a bit more time, you’ll still have the family trip you’ve been dreaming about, just with a few more checkpoints along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions