Travelling to the Schengen Zone in 2026 will come with important new entry requirements for many non-EU passport holders. Two major systems — ETIAS and the EES — are being introduced to modernise border controls and strengthen security across Europe. ETIAS & EES Explained: New Schengen Travel Rules for 2026: If you’re planning short-term travel to countries within the Schengen Area, including France, it’s essential to understand how these changes could affect you. Below, we explain what ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System are. If you want to know who needs to apply, who is exempt, and when these new rules take effect, read on!
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ETIAS – European Travel Information and Authorisation System
The ETIAS system will require citizens from visa-exempt countries to obtain travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area. This will mostly affect: citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The system is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026. The launch was previously anticipated to be earlier in the year).
Key Details:
- – ETIAS Authorisation: Valid for short-term stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) across the Schengen Area.
- – Duration: Valid for three years, or until the passport associated with the ETIAS expires, which ever comes first.
- – Application Process: Applicants will need to complete an online form and pay a €7 fee. More details and the application page will be shared once live. See link below.
- – Exemptions: Travellers under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the fee but not the application.
- – Processing Time: Most applications will be approved within minutes. However, current advice is to apply well in advance of your trip to avoid delays.
Where to Apply:
ETIAS & EES: New Schengen Travel Rules. Once ETIAS is operational, you will be able to apply through the official ETIAS website.
ETIAS Application Portal link (The link will become active once the system is live in 2026.)
Who is Exempt from ETIAS?
- UK Nationals holding a Carte de Séjour obtained under the Withdrawal Agreement and their card holding family members. Beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (WA), whatever their nationality, are exempt from the ETIAS requirement.
- EU passport holders and their card holding family members. Spouses and close family members of EU passport holders who do NOT have a Carte de Séjour are required to obtain an ETIAS but, as for the WA card holder’s family members, there is no charge.
Family members under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement and EU law include:
- Spouses (including same-sex spouses)
- Registered partners (if recognized as equivalent to marriage under national law)
- Direct descendants under 21, or dependants, including those of the spouse or registered partner
- Dependent ascendants (parents or grandparents) of the EU national, their spouse, or their registered partner. These family members will not be required to pay the €7 fee, and their application will not be checked against illegal immigration screening rules.
Long-Stay Visa Holders: Individuals with a valid national long-stay visa (e.g., a residence permit) are also exempt.
Special Case:
ETIAS & EES Explained: New Schengen Travel Rules for 2026: Non-EU spouses of French nationals must still apply for ETIAS when visiting France. This may seem to be incoherent but their case falls under French national law, not EU law, unless they hold specific residence status in another EU country.
What about countries that are in the EU but not in the Schengen Zone ?
The most likely candidates here among EU passport holders regularly travelling to France are Irish passport holders. According to Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 on ETIAS (paras 5 and 6) which defines the implementation procedures for ETIAS, it is specified that ETIAS applies to citizens of third countries who benefit from a visa exemption for entry into the Schengen Area. However, EU citizens (including those from Ireland) do not fall into this category.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU): Article 21 of the TFEU guarantees the freedom of movement of EU citizens, meaning that Irish citizens (like other EU citizens) can move freely within all Member States, including those in the Schengen Area.
EES – Entry/Exit System – ETIAS & EES Explained: New Schengen Travel Rules for 2026
The EES will track the entry and exit of travellers (both visa-exempt and visa-required) into and out of the Schengen Zone for short stays. This system will operate at all external borders of the 29 Schengen Area countries, and no prior action will be needed before your trip.
Key Details:
Registration at the Border: Travelers will be automatically registered each time they cross external borders, replacing the manual stamping of passports. This will be done through biometric data collection (fingerprints and facial recognition). Impact on Travellers: The system will make border control processes more efficient in the long run. It will also help authorities combat irregular migration and security threats, but delays may be unavoidable in the introductory phase.
What Does This Mean for Travellers?
No Pre-Travel Application for EES. Travellers under this scheme don’t need to register or apply before travelling. Registration will happen automatically upon entry at the Schengen border. ETIAS Required for Some Travellers: If you are from a visa-exempt country, you’ll need ETIAS authorisation to enter the Schengen Area.
However, if you are :
- a card-holding family member of an EU national or
- a card-holding beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement or
- a holder of a valid Long Stay Visa,
you are exempt from this requirement.
Timeline for Changes
ETIAS is expected to become operational by the end of 2026. Until then, travellers will not need to apply for ETIAS. (See the link previously)
The EES system is scheduled to be rolled out in stages alongside ETIAS, with border control changes likely happening around the same time.
References:
Regulation – 2018/1240 – EN – EUR-Lex
EUR-Lex – 12008E021 – EN – EUR-Lex
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ETIAS & EES Explained: New Schengen Travel Rules for 2026: FAQ
Q: Do I need ETIAS to travel to the Schengen Zone in 2026?
ETIAS is scheduled to come into force during 2026. It will not be implemented in a uniform manner but will come into force gradually. Given the uncertainty about which entry points will be implementing the system and from which date, it’s best to get ETIAS and not be surprised or have to limit your travel options. See below which categories of travellers are exempted.
Q: Who is exempt from ETIAS?
UK nationals with a WA card, EU passport holders and their family members with EU country residency cards, long stay visa holders.
Q: What is the difference between ETIAS and EES?
EES will track the entry and exit of non-EU travellers into and out of the Schengen zone. This will cover everyone, even if they come from a visa free country.
ETIAS only concerns people from Schengen zone visa free countries, i.e. they have no obligation to obtain a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen zone by virtue of their passports.
Q: Do UK nationals need ETIAS after Brexit?
Yes, unless they are :
(i) UK nationals with a WA card,
(ii) have another EU passport that they use to enter Schengen
(iii) hold a card as the spouse or family member of an EU passport holder,
(vi) have a long stay visa.
Q: Will Irish passport holders need ETIAS?
No
Q: When will ETIAS and EES start?
Both should come into force during 2026. There is no set date. The system will not be uniformly implemented but will come into force gradually over 2026 at different entry and exit points of the Schengen zone.
