Changes to UK & EU entry requirements
You might have heard that the entry requirements for both the EU and the UK are set to change. Although these changes won’t come into effect until Autumn 2025, we are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for our customers.
Here’s what you need to know:
New checks at the EU's borders
Travelling to Europe with us from 12 October 2025?
There’ll be a new EU border system you need to know about - the Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaces manual passport stamping for travellers heading to Schengen countries.
The Entry Exit System (EES), will register all non-EU nationals entering 29 countries for short stays. This system will include biometric checks, such as facial imaging and fingerprints.
What’s changing?
The EES is a new digital border control system being introduced across the EU. Instead of getting your passport stamped, you may have your fingerprint and a photo taken the first time you travel after 12 October.
Once registered, your record is valid for up to 3 years, so for future trips, you’ll just need a quick fingerprint or photo check.
How will it affect my journey?
When EES begins, non-EU passengers on P&O Ferries routes entering the EU will face new checks.
On the Dover-Calais route, these checks will take place before travelling in Dover, and on the Hull-Rotterdam route they will take place upon arrival at Rotterdam.
Passengers should factor additional time into their journeys to Dover or onwards from Rotterdam when booking trips 12 October onwards. More details will be available nearer to the implementation time. Find out more on the Entry Exit System (EES) European Union website
Entering Europe for a short stay
The second upcoming change is the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is not yet in effect. If you are from a visa-exempt non-EU country, such as the UK, you will need to apply for ETIAS authorisation to enter 30 European countries for short stays. Please note:
· A short stay is defined as up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
· There is small application fee, payable to the government. You don’t have to pay the fee if you are under 18 or over 70 years of age.
· ETIAS authorisation will last for three years, or until your passport expires – whichever comes first.
· It is your responsibility to apply for ETIAS. You will be able to do this online at europa.eu/etias once the scheme begins.
We will inform our customers when the system is live and the changes come into effect, with more details about how to apply for ETIAS authorisation. Find out more on the ETIAS European Union website
Entering the UK for a short stay
Entry requirements for visitors to the UK are also changing. If you don’t need a visa and you are travelling for a short stay of less than six months, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from April 2025.
For example, EU citizens planning a two-week holiday in the UK will need to apply for an ETA before they travel. Please note:
· Due to the Common Travel Area, Irish citizens will not need an ETA to enter the UK.
· It is your responsibility to apply for ETA. You will be able to do this online or using the ETA app once the scheme begins.
· There will be a small fee to apply.
· An ETA permits you to travel to the UK multiple times over two years, or until your passport expires – whichever comes first.
We will inform our customers when the UK confirms a start date for all overseas visitors, and give more details of where you can apply. Find out more on the GOV.UK website
If you are travelling with biometric residence permits (BRPs) and EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence cards (EUSS BRCs) that expired on or after 31st December 2024, these will be accepted as evidence of permission to travel to the UK until and including 1st June 2025. This measure will not be extended again. From 2nd June 2025, expired BRPs and EUSS BRCs will no longer be acceptable for evidencing permission to travel to the UK.