You could argue it’s only a passport stamp on arrival during the annual trip to Spain that’s altered the travel experience for most people following Brexit.

But starting this year, and particularly in 2026 – 10 years after the Brexit vote – it will be very different with the launch of two electronic screening systems: the European Entry-Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) visa waiver.

Two other changes are likely. By next year, we might see results of efforts to restore the right to work abroad in the EU, so-called posted working, and to open cross-Channel rail services to competition.

The EU says EES is “expected to start” in October after years of delays. EES means every arrival from the UK into an EU airport, apart from those in Ireland and Cyprus, must provide biometric facial and fingerprint data, which is expected to increase individual processing times to several minutes.

Checks will also be carried out at Dover (for ferries), at London St Pancras station (for Eurostar) and at Folkestone (for Le Shuttle).

Late arrival of screening equipment meant the planned introduction of EES this summer was postponed. This April, EU ministers voted for a phased six-month introduction, starting in the autumn. The industry awaits details, but the European Commission has promised several months’ notice.

It has confirmed the phased start will require member states to process 10% of passengers via EES from day one, “followed by up to 50% by day 90, and 100% by the end of the 180 days”.

However, the commission added: “During the roll-out period, the launch could be temporarily suspended if waiting times become too long or there are technical issues.”

Ready for take-off?

Airports Council International Europe (ACI), whose members account for 95% of air traffic in the region, insists it is well prepared.

“All our airports are ready,” said a spokesperson, albeit while adding: “In some cases, member states’ border authorities will be lacking human resources – border guards – but this is not under the direct control of the airport managing body.”

ACI added the IT system central to EES “is not yet fully stable”, but stressed: “If everything goes well, the European Commission will decide on the start date by the end of July.”

Spain will bear the brunt of any delays, given its passenger volume. A Spanish Tourist Office spokesperson said installation of EES equipment had started in April 2024.

However, they warned: “Full implementation across all airports has been delayed due to technical challenges and coordination issues among EU member states.”

The spokesperson said the Spanish government “has confirmed that later this year, all installations will be completed across the entirety of Spain” but gave no firm date. However, they insisted Spain was “far more advanced than France, Germany and the Netherlands and will be totally ready by the time the legislation is finally introduced”.

Palma is “fully prepared”, they said, as is Murcia’s Corvera airport. Tenerife South airport said that “infrastructure is adapted and prepared in accordance with the requirements currently foreseen”. The port of Santander has been ready “since October 2024”.

On the right track

Similarly, Eurostar said it was “fully prepared and ready”, but again, it is reliant on an IT system outside its control.

The UK government said Eurostar will have 50 kiosks in three locations, while Eurotunnel will have “more than 100 kiosks”, estimating EES will add “just over five minutes” to processing times.

Dover will have 24 kiosks for coach passengers, and staff will register passengers in cars using tablets.

UK nationals currently have patchy access to eGates on the continent, but the European Commission has confirmed “there will be no legal barriers to eGates use” after the introduction of the EES.

EES had been due to be followed six months later by another new system, Etias, a US-style Esta which will be required by all UK travellers aged 18 to 70 travelling to the EU. Again, the EU has altered its previous position, and is now saying Etias will follow “in the last quarter of 2026”.

The EU has said there will also be “transitional and grace periods”, but in a nutshell, most UK travellers will have to apply for their Etias online prior to departure and pay the €7 fee. Like Estas, Etias authorisations will be valid for three years.

Continuing campaign

Meanwhile, efforts to overcome a major Brexit setback, the ending of “posted working provisions”, have been renewed. Post-Brexit, UK businesses can no longer deploy seasonal workers like reps and chalet hosts in the EU while retaining them on UK payroll.

Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT) states overseas travel roles fell 69% after Brexit, but in 2021 it persuaded France’s interior minister to let UK chalet staff work there by highlighting the potential effect on mountain areas – something it claims may have saved the UK ski industry.

Last month, nearly 70 industry leaders signed a letter urging the UK to pursue youth mobility arrangements like those with Australia and other nations. A Westminster debate is scheduled for 25 July.

However, following a summit convened last month to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the EU, the government said: “We have agreed we will work towards a youth experience scheme” which will be “time limited, on terms to be mutually agreed”, with a limit on the number of participants.

Abta wants workers to stay for three years, saying this will give businesses “confidence and flexibility to plan operations beyond 12-month periods”, arguing other schemes are up to three years.

However, the recommendation from parliament’s business and trade committee is the proposed youth experience scheme allows only one year “with a limited number of participants” and is “visa-based”.

“I’m hopeful both the EU and UK see the benefits of a youth mobility scheme,” said Charles Owen, SBiT managing director, who cautioned any deal would not arrive in time for next winter’s ski season recruitment.

SBiT believes the scheme will be limited to those aged 18-30, and Owen said he hoped visas would be for four years.

Opening up the market

One final thing may coincide with next year’s Brexit anniversary. Since launching in 1994, Eurostar has enjoyed a monopoly on international ex-UK rail services, but this may end.

One barrier to competition has been tighter post-Brexit border controls, but once EES and Etias are live, electronic border clearance will mean quicker passenger processing.

Another has been accessing Eurostar’s maintenance depot near London. Channel Tunnel trains are taller and wider than standard, which means they must use this unique facility.

The UK’s Office of Rail and Road ruled in April there was sufficient space for new entrants, adding this was a “critical requirement for more operators to take on the route”.