Brexit Altered travel to the continent. This started with a time restriction for UK passport holders staying in the EU or Schengen zone, allowing only 90 days within any 180-day period before they were considered third-country visitors. As of January 2021, British citizens now require a visa for such stays. passports Stamped upon entering and exiting the bloc to ensure compliance with this regulation.
Further modifications are incoming. Entry Exit System (EES) for recording passenger crossings in and out of the EU is set to be phased in from October this year and it will replace passport stamping. Etias (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is the EU’s visa waiver system and is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026.
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The EES has faced multiple delays. Should it proceed, it would represent the most significant restructuring to date. journey from the United Kingdom to Europe in the next six months.
The so-called Brexit reset — a fresh accord between the UK and EU — might introduce some changes as well. For instance, the UK aims to re-enter the EU pet passport program.
In the meantime, various European nations addressing overtourism And both housing and crisis situations bring forth new regulations and occurrences that will impact UK visitors over the next few months.
Below is a monthly guide outlining the alterations for traveling to Europe.
June
Airport scanners
A number of airports failed to meet the United Kingdom government’s June 2024 deadline for installing advanced next-generation CT scanners. Consequently, the deadline has been pushed back to June 2025.
This technology allows travelers to keep their laptops, tablets, and Liquids contained in vessels not exceeding 100 ml. in their hand luggage when going through security.
The scanners are being introduced at Heathrow, which is the UK’s most bustling airport. airport They have already been implemented at multiple other UK airports such as Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Leeds Bradford, London City, Luton, Newcastle, Southend, and Teesside. Additionally, they are operational in certain European Union airports.
It was anticipated that the deployment of these scanners would eliminate the 100ml liquids restriction. Nevertheless, the 100ml cap was reinstated at every UK airport in June 2024 and across European Union airports later that same year in September.
Venice day tripper fee
Visitors to the Italian city Those who aren’t spending the night must pay €5 (£4.20), or €10 if they make their booking fewer than four days prior to arriving. Individuals who have reserved accommodations within the city are exempt from this day-trip visitor fee but are required to register upon arrival. city’s website .
The program was reintroduced on April 18 after a pilot in 2024. It covers 54 different dates (from 8:30 am to 4 pm), including weekends, concluding on July 27.
Mass tourism protests
Following last year’s wave of protests against overtourism, especially in Spain , campaigners on the continent have promised a new summer campaign.
The Southern European Network Against Touristisation, an organisation made up of small protest groups from Spain, France , Italy and Portugal, say they have several demonstrations planned over the coming months.
The upcoming significant demonstration is scheduled for June 15th, with protests anticipated in multiple cities throughout Southern Europe.
Spain guest registration rules
Visitors to Spain are required to submit information such as passport details, date of birth, nationality, gender, residential address, telephone number, email address, and payment method upon reserving lodging or hiring a vehicle. These regulations apply to travelers 14 years old and older; therefore, adults have to declare all minors within this age bracket traveling alongside them. Additionally, they need to specify their connection to these children.
Accommodation and car rental companies must gather this data and forward it to the Spanish authorities.
Greece’s higher tourist taxes
Greece approved raising the tourist tax and cruise passenger fees last December. From April through October, short-term accommodations include a daily levy. € 8 or £7 (an increase of €1.5 from 2024 levels). For hotel accommodations, the fee can be as high as €15 (£13) per night. Regarding cruise ship visitors, the charge can reach up to €20 (£17) per night.
July
France outdoor smoking ban
Starting July 1st, France will prohibit smoking in various open areas such as beaches, parks, public gardens, bus stops, and sports facilities.
Seating arrangements at outdoor cafes and bars will be excluded from the prohibition. The restriction will not cover electronic cigarettes.
Individuals who violate the rules will be subject to a €135 (£113.50) penalty.
Spain short-term rental register
Owners of short-term rental properties in Spain must register their accommodations with the Registro Único by July 1st. Failure to do so will prevent them from advertising or renting out their properties.
A suggested outdoor smoking prohibition in Spain has been put forward.
Last week, Spain revealed intentions to broaden smoke-free regulations to include public spaces, as well as terrace areas of restaurants and outdoor sections of bars.
It is anticipated that vaping devices will also face prohibition. However, the Spanish government has not yet confirmed the specific date when these regulations will take effect.
August
EU e-gates rules
The UK government has announced that "travelers from Britain will have access to an increased number of electronic gates when traveling within Europe" as part of their new post-Brexit agreement with the European Union. This change is expected to particularly benefit those journeying during August, which marks the height of travel activity from the UK to the EU.
Currently, however, individuals with non-EU passports (such as British citizens) are not permitted to utilize the expedited passport queues upon entry. EU This is due to the additional border control procedures required, such as getting passport stamps upon entering and exiting the country. Actually, certain airports permit travelers with UK passports to utilize electronic gates and subsequently join the line for obtaining a passport stamp.
The utilization of express lanes without extra verification won’t be allowed until the Entry Exit System becomes active. The implementation of this system is scheduled for October.
October
EES
The EES will entail gathering biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial photographs) from individuals traveling to the EU who do not possess an EU-issued passport. This process will substitute for the passport stamping currently utilized to monitor compliance with the 90/180-day regulation concerning visa-free stay duration for visitors from the UK. Following multiple postponements, the European Commission has opted for a gradual implementation strategy for this updated system, commencing in October.
Various individual member states, along with UK ports hosting French border control facilities, have been implementing the rollout of this new technology for conducting these checks. As part of this effort, they've set up specialized kiosks at locations such as St Pancras International station. Once operational, travelers will be required to establish a digital profile during their initial trip into the European Union. Thereafter, this data will be retained for either three years or until the passport used expires—whichever period is shorter.
Nevertheless, Doug Bannister, who serves as the CEO of the Port, remains unaffected. Dover He has mentioned that travelers from the UK might have their fingerprints taken every time they enter the Schengen zone from Dover once the EES takes effect. This delay is attributed to issues with the development of an application designed for digital verification of biometric data.
Catalonia tourist tax increase
The Catalan regional administration intends to raise its daily tourism levy from as high as €11 to as much as €15 (£12) starting possibly in October.
To be confirmed
Etias
The EU’s visa waiver scheme will commence during the final quarter of 2026. This regulation applies to travel within 30 European nations. Every traveler not belonging to the EU must possess this document for entering these territories. The charge for obtaining it will be €7 (£6); however, individuals below 18 years old and those above 70 years of age won’t incur any fees.
Pet passports
Any pets traveling from the UK to the EU require microchipping and, should the animal be 12 weeks of age or older, must also undergo a rabies vaccination.
Following the vaccination, pet owners are required to wait a minimum of three weeks before obtaining an EU animal health certificate (AHC) from a veterinarian. This document verifies that the animal has been implanted with a microchip and received its vaccinations.
The AHC needs to be issued within 10 days of entering the EU or Northern Ireland. Veterinary fees typically hover around £200 per certificate, with a new document needed for every trip.
Dogs need to undergo tape worm treatment within one to five days prior to entering the area.
Nevertheless, the British government aims to renegotiate the country's reinstatement into the EU’s pet passport program. Within the European Union, pet passports are granted for the duration of the animal’s life and stay effective provided that the pet’s vaccinations against rabies are maintained current.
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