Overview
- Implementation begins on 12 October 2025 and will be phased over 180 days to early April 2026, with some locations initially continuing manual passport stamping.
- First-time entrants will register fingerprints and a facial image at kiosks or e-gates at external borders across air, sea, rail and road crossings, with data retained for three years and children under 12 exempt from fingerprinting.
- UK departure points with French border controls at Dover, Folkestone and St Pancras will complete enrollment before travel, while most flyers will register on arrival in the Schengen area.
- Authorities and travel advisers warn of longer queues during the bedding-in period, though Eurotunnel’s chief expects about two extra minutes at Folkestone and Calais once processes settle.
- The separate ETIAS authorisation is slated for late 2026 at €20 for ages 18–70 (free for under-18s and over-70s), with a possible grace period before mandatory use in 2027 and typical processing in minutes but up to 30 days in some cases.