We are making plans for an October or November trip back to Paris/Europe, with a stop in London. I just renewed my passport as it had six months left on it. What else exactly do we need to get before leaving? Seems everything is changing, and post I have read here seem confusing. I think we need to apply for the ETA for London now. What about the EES? And don't worry about ETIAS because it isn't in effect yet?
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
3055 posts
Posted by
Queens, NYC
599 posts
ETA -- applies to UK only
- Already active
- This is an electronic travel authorization that you have to apply for via the app or online. Yes, apply for this now (if you plan to actually enter the UK -- it's not clear from your post if you're just changing planes in Heathrow, or if you actually have plans to visit the UK).
EES -- Schengen Area only:
- Will be implemented gradually from October 2025 to April 2026
- You will not have to do anything ahead of time for this and there will be nothing to apply for here. This is the system by which border guards will take fingerprints and/or a digital photo of you when you cross the Schengen border, and replaces the passport stamping process.
- Either it's active at the border crossing or it's not -- either way, again, there is nothing for you to do here (except follow the border guards' instructions, of course).
ETIAS -- Schengen Area only:
- Not yet in force, currently expected to be implemented starting Q4 2026
- Once this is in force, this is an electronic travel authorization (functionally equivalent to the UK ETA or the US ESTA system) that you will have to apply for. Before this is active, there is nothing for you to do yet.
Posted by
OP
Gulf Coast, usa
1237 posts
Thank you for clearing this confusing new addition to travel up for me. I will need to get the ETA as we plan on a night or two in London, and won't worry about the EES. I will assume the airline would let us know if this was required when booking our tickets. I figured ETIAS wasn't up an running yet, as it has been put off so many times already. Thanks for clearing this up!
Posted by
Chicago
9303 posts
You can be sure that your airline will remind you repeatedly of any required visa or permit -- they won't let you on the plane without it. It will not come as a surprise.
Posted by
Freedonia
17865 posts
Just to clarify.....you will need the ETA to enter the UK. There is nothing you have to do for the EES.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3427 posts
You can be sure that your airline will remind you repeatedly of any
required visa or permit -- they won't let you on the plane without it.
It will not come as a surprise.
But note that some airlines (specifically Delta) may direct you to a third party vendor to purchase your visa or permit, and it will cost much more than using the official website. The links provided above by Andrew go to the appropriate government websites (they end in .uk or .eu)