ETA: Electronic Travel Authorization

If you're a U.S. citizen traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, visiting family, business meetings, conferences, or short-term study (up to six months), you'll need to secure an ETA before you arrive. The application currently costs £20, and while approval is often quick, it can take a few days — so it's best to apply well before your trip.

EES: Entry/Exit System

Traveling to a country in the Schengen Area, like France, Greece, or Italy? You'll go through the EES process when you arrive. This system records your passport information along with biometric data, like your fingerprints and a facial image. There's nothing to apply for ahead of time — just know that your first border crossing may take a little longer than you're used to. As of this year, EES is up and running at Schengen borders, so this is officially part of the entry routine now, not a "someday" thing.

ETIAS: European Travel Information & Authorisation System

This one's been making headlines for what feels like forever, mostly because it keeps getting pushed back. Once it launches, travelers from visa-exempt countries — including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. — will need to apply for authorization before visiting many European destinations.

Here's the current state of play: ETIAS had been targeting the last quarter of 2026, but that date was recently pulled from the official EU site, and a 2027 launch now looks like the most realistic outcome. Nothing is confirmed yet, and the EU has said it will announce a firm date several months before the system actually goes live.

The upshot? You don't need to do anything about ETIAS today. But if you've got European travel on the calendar, it's worth keeping an eye on — and it's exactly the kind of detail we track for our clients so you don't have to.

Have a trip coming up and want someone to handle the fine print? That's what I'm here for. Let's start planning!