Before you go on your holiday, check back here to see any relevant travel updates. If we become aware of any potential disruption to our traveling guests, we will notify affected lead-bookers by email and/or SMS directly.

Updated 12th August 2026

ETIAS Travel Authorisation

ETIAS is scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2026, followed by a six-month transitional period and a six-month grace period.

As a UK citizen, you will be required to have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation when travelling to countries requiring ETIAS for a short stay. ETIAS is not a visa and will be valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

ETIAS will cost €20 per person. Everyone in your party will need their own ETIAS travel authorisation, although applicants under 18 and over 70 are exempt from paying the fee.

Most applications are expected to be processed within minutes, but some may take longer if additional information or documentation is required. We recommend applying at least a month before your scheduled departure once ETIAS launches, to allow plenty of time for your application to be processed.

The only official ETIAS website is https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. You will need your passport, a payment card and an email address to apply.

For more information, watch this simple YouTube explanation. 

For the most up-to-date information, visit ABTA's website or the European Union travel pages on ETIAS.

Updated 10th January 2026

EU entry/exit system (EES)

As you may be aware, The European Union started a phased introduction of the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) from 12th October 2025.

By 10th April 2026, all EU entry points were required to operate the EES. This may initially cause slightly longer delays at border points.

For the most up-to-date information, visit ABTA's website or the European Union travel pages on EES.

Updated 29th July 2025

Eurostar EU entry/exit system updates

EES machines will be located opposite Pret and Starbucks at the end of the main concourse in St Pancras.

All passengers will need to go to these machines before they make their way to the Eurostar area.

Please allow extra time to input the required information at the machines.

For more information, visit the Eurostar website. 

Updated 27th March 2024

Passport validity requirements - EU countries

If you are planning to travel to an EU country e.g. France or Austria, follow the Schengen area passport requirements.

Your passport must:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area

For full information, visit the gov.uk entry requirements pages for the country you intend to travel to e.g. gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements