EES, ETIAS and Visas
Advice and information on getting the right travel documentation for your trip
EES, ETIAS and Visas – what you need to know
Whether you’re visiting Bordeaux for le weekend or planning a three-month internship in Valencia, you need to make sure you have the correct documentation for your trip. This page introduces you to the EES and ETIAS systems, and outlines important information about visa requirements.
This page is primarily aimed at travellers from the UK travelling to the EU (including travellers using UK passports who are starting from a country other than the UK). If you are entering the EU from another country, check the relevant information provided by the government of the country of origin.
In all cases, each traveller (or their parents) is responsible for ensuring they hold the necessary permits to cover the duration and purpose of their trip. Blue Stamp Travel accepts no responsibility for any loss incurred due to a failure to acquire the correct permits and visas for any trip.
EES – Entry/Exit System FAQs
EES is an automated system that registers all travellers arriving into the EU for a short stay who are not citizens of countries that operate the system. It records the length of each traveller’s stay in the EU zone to help fight crime, prevent visa abuse and monitor traveller movements. The system came into force in October 2025 and is being rolled out in stages.
It is intended to replace the requirement to have your passport stamped on arrival, but you should expect passport stamping to continue until at least the end of 2026. Individual airports may have different systems in place, so you should be ready to follow instructions and guidance on arrival.
Read more about EES on the European Union’s travel-eu website.
On arrival at the external border of an EU country, you will be required to scan your passport, submit your fingerprints and allow your photograph to be taken. Automated booths are provided for this purpose, but you should allow extra time, especially at busy periods, when there may be queues to use the automatic machines.
When registering your passport and biometric data you may be asked questions about your stay, such as:
- Purpose (e.g. school visit, holiday, study visit)
- Duration
- Accommodation address
- If you have a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one
- If you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses during your trip
- If you have health insurance
It is important to have this information to hand when you reach the EES booth. It is not possible to know in advance which questions you will be asked. Individual countries may include extra questions of their own.
If you find yourself in difficulties, staff are on hand to help.
Yes. All travellers are required to scan their passports. Children under 12 will not be required to provide fingerprints.
We have created a helpful guide to EES to share with your students prior to travelling. We recommend taking a few minutes to go through it with your group prior to travelling to ensure they understand what is required.
If possible, we recommend taking students to the automated EES machines in groups.
Your trip itinerary booklet contains much of the information that you may be asked. We advise ensuring that each student has a copy to hand when they go to the EES kiosk.
Eurostar passengers will be required to register their details at EES kiosks before boarding the train.
Coach groups travelling by Le Shuttle will be required to register their details at EES kiosks prior to boarding the train.
School groups travelling by ferry will be pre-registered to speed up the EES process.
Yes. One of the purposes of EES is to monitor how long non-EU citizens remain within the EES zone, so travellers are required to scan their passport every time they enter the EU.
Your biometric data will be saved for three years, which will save some time on arrival.
Of course. Read our helpful, concise guide to EES.
ETIAS FAQs
The ETIAS system is not yet operational. It is expected to come into operation in October 2026. The system will be rolled out in stages, and will not be mandatory until April 2027.
We will keep you fully informed about the ETIAS requirements for your solo or group trip through our Babel trip planning and management platform.
When ETIAS does come into operation, all non-EU passport holders will be required to apply online to get permission to travel to EU and Schengen countries.
Read the latest information on the EU’s ETIAS website.
Yes. All travellers will be required to register on the ETIAS system to be allowed to enter the EU. Registration will be online. The UK is expected to provide a mobile app to allow travellers to submit their applications.
ETIAS will be free for travellers aged under 18 and over 70.
Travellers aged 18–69 will have to pay €20 to apply for an ETIAS permit.
The permit will be valid for three years from the date of issue.
The European Union has published a website with an extensive list of FAQs about ETIAS.
Visas for UK travellers to the EU
UK nationals do not require a visa to visit the EU or Schengen area as long as they are staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period and are visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons. Participation in an educational trip does not require a visa, as long as the trip does not cause you to exceed the 90-day threshold.
The UK government has published a detailed list of visa exemptions for travel to the EU and Schengen area.
The Schengen Visa Calculator is a helpful tool for
You do not require a visa for our Work Experience or Work and Study programmes (unless your previous travel will take you over the 90-day threshold in a 180-day period).
Longer stays for internships or au pair and study may require a visa if you are planning on a long stay.
Check the rules for the country you are visiting. The UK government has a helpful set of links covering all Schengen area countries.
To apply for a visa, you will need to visit the website of the embassy of the country you are visiting. We recommend applying for a visa well before you travel. Consult embassy websites for advice on visa timescales.
Visas for non-UK nationals visiting the EU
If you or a member of your group do not hold a UK passport or the passport of an EU country, you must check the visa requirements for your country. We advise that you do this in good time as visa applications can take some time to process.
If you are an international student in the UK you may require a visa to travel to Europe. You should contact your own country’s embassy for confirmation of the requirements. You should not require a visa to undertake work experience of under 90 days in duration.
The IATA Travel Centre has a useful tool to check which countries require visas from different nationals.
