ESS, ETIAS, ETA: What Do They Stand For?

The European Union has launched two new border management initiatives that will affect travel to Europe: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit Systems (EES). How will travel rules change, and how are these two systems different? Find out below.

An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) lets you travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons for up to 6 months

ESS, Breaking News: Starting October 12th

EES is an automated IT system for non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries using the system. The system will register the person’s name, travel document data, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images), and the date and place of entry and exit, in full respect of fundamental rights and data protection.

It will also record refusals of entry. From 12 October onwards, 29 European countries will introduce the EES gradually or in full at their external borders over a period of six months. Border authorities will gradually register the data of non-EU nationals subject to the EES. 

As of 10 April 2026, EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which does not allow an automatic detection of over-stayers (travellers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay).

Shengen Visa & ETIAS: Up to 90 Days

The first question is whether you need a Visa or an ETIAS declaration (in 2025). Citizens from countries that need a Visa do not need an ETIAS declaration, and the other way round. In other case, you may need a Schengen Visa.

If you are a citizen from a visa-exempt country with valid passports traveling for tourism or business, you can enter the Schengen Area without a visa for a period of 90 days within each six-month period.

EES vs. ETIAS

EES and ETIAS are two separate, complementary EU border systems:  the Entry/Exit System (EES) records the entry and exit of non-EU nationals, while the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an online travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors before they travel. The EES collects biometric data at the border to track stays and enforce the 90/180-day rule, while ETIAS is a pre-travel screening that checks security databases.

• EES: 29 European countries:
  • 27 countries belonging to the Schengen Area (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland).
  • as well as Bulgaria, and Romania.
• ETIAS: 30 European countries: adds Cyprus.
• EU vs Schengen:
  • 4 countries belong to Schengen but do not belong to EU: Islandia, Noruega, Suiza and Liechtenstein
  • 4 countries belong to EU but do not belong to Schengen:  Ireland and Cyprus. Bulgaria and Romania are in the process of applying some Schengen provisions and will be fully integrated in the future.

Who needs an ETIAS

The Schengen Visa

A Schengen visa is an authorisation issued by a Schengen state that allows travellers to enter the Schengen area for:

• intended short stays in or transit through the territory of a Schengen state (short stay visa)
• transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen states (airport transit visa)

Short stays are stays of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.

Schengen Area

Today, 29 European countries issue Schengen visas, as members of the Schengen area:

• 25 of the 27 EU member states
• Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland

Where to Apply

You must lodge your application for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the country you intend to visit. 

• Visiting more than 1 Schengen countries: apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the longest time.
• Visiting several Schengen countries (for stays of equal length): apply at the consulate of the first country you will visit.

As a general rule, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate with territorial responsibility for the country where you are legally resident.

Applying in Spain

Here you have the link to the Spanish Foreign Office and a list of Embassies and Consulates. You can also find a FAQ leaflet witten by the Spanish Foreign Office on the matter.

For more information on visa relatated topics, visit our web page

ETA to Travel to UK

An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) lets you travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons for up to 6 months.

Who needs an ETA

Most visitors travelling to the UK need an ETA or a visa. What you need depends on:

• your nationality
• why you’re coming to the UK

You usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you’re from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries.

It costs £16 to apply online or through the UK ETA app. You cannot get a refund after you apply.

UK ETA vs. EU ETIAS: Key Differences

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) are both electronic travel authorizations, not visas. They’re designed to enhance border security by screening visa-exempt travelers before they arrive. While they share a similar purpose, they apply to different regions and have distinct requirements.

Here are the key differences between the UK’s ETA and the EU’s ETIAS: