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What UK schools need to know about EU travel from 2026

18/09/2025
Blog Post

Big changes are coming to the way UK school groups travel to Europe, and if you're planning a trip to any of our destinations in the EU from autumn 2024 onwards, it's time to get prepared.

Two new systems — EES (Entry/Exit System) and Etias (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) — are being rolled out to help the EU monitor and streamline border crossings. While these changes affect all non-EU travellers, it’s especially important that group organisers, teachers, and parents understand how the new processes work for school groups.

To help you navigate these changes, we've summarised what teachers and EVCs need to know below.

 

What is EES?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the EU’s new biometric border check system for non-EU travellers. As of the time of writing, it's planned to go live on 12 October 2025, meaning that UK school trips travelling during this time will be among the first to encounter it.

How it works:

  • Fingerprints and facial images will be collected on arrival at the border (though not for children under 12).

  • These checks will replace passport stamping.

  • The data is valid for 3 years, or until the student gets a new passport.

EES is free to use, and it will gradually become mandatory across all EU border points by April 2026.

 

What this means for school groups

For school groups travelling by ferry, Eurostar, or LeShuttle, biometric checks will likely happen before departure, at places like Dover, St Pancras International, and Folkestone, where new kiosks and infrastructure are already in place.

Coaches, however, will need extra planning:

  • Students will need to disembark to register biometrics.

  • Coaches will be temporarily sealed and held before being allowed to proceed to check-in.

With this in mind, please allow additional time for travel to allow these checks to take place.

 

 

 

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is the EU's upcoming visa waiver scheme, similar to the US ESTA. It is not yet live, but will be introduced in late 2026.

Key facts:

  • Each traveller will need to apply online and pay a small fee (expected to be €20).

  • This

  • will be valid for 3 years, or until passport expiry.

  • Required for entry to all EU and Schengen countries (except Ireland and Cyprus).

  • Under-18s (and over-70s) won’t need to pay, but will still need to apply.

Although the exact launch date is still to be confirmed, we’ll be helping schools and families understand the process and apply in good time, updating groups as soon as we have any information.

 

How this affects your trip planning

If you're travelling before October 2025:

No change – passport stamping will continue as usual.

If you're travelling between October 2025 and April 2026:

Some border points will have biometric kiosks, and your group may be asked to register. We’ll work with suppliers to guide you through what to expect.

From April 2026 onwards:

EES will be fully operational at all external EU borders. All non-EU citizens, including UK school groups, will need to register biometrics on entry.

From late 2026:

Etias applications will become a pre-departure requirement for all travellers. Each group member will need approved authorisation before travel.

 

Our advice to teachers and organisers

  • Start preparation as early as possible: Make sure all student and staff passports are up-to-date (with at least 6 months’ validity and no older than 10 years).

  • Allow for delays: Factor in slightly longer border crossing times during the EES rollout.

  • Group support: We’ll help you navigate the application process for ETIAS when the time comes.

  • Stay informed: We'll continue to monitor updates and provide guidance tailored to school travel needs.

Where can I learn more?

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