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Thursday, 28 August 2025

Travel Update – EU Entry/Exit System (EES) from 12 Oct 25

Heads up for anyone travelling in Europe later this year!

• From 12 October 2025, the EU will bring in a new Entry/Exit System (EES). If you hold a UK passport, the first time you travel into the EU after this date you’ll need to register your passport details and give fingerprints/biometric data at the border.

• After that, UK passport holders can only spend 90 days in every 180-day period in the Schengen Area.

• In 2026, a second system called ETIAS will also start. You’ll need to apply online before travelling, provide personal/trip details, and pay a €20 fee.

• If you have a BFC Status Card:

· You won’t be affected by EES or ETIAS when travelling into/out of Cyprus, but you must keep showing your Status Card at RoC airports.
· If you go to other Schengen countries (from Cyprus or the UK), you’ll still need to do the EES process like everyone else.

• Cyprus is not in Schengen yet, but the government plans to join in 2026. We’ll share updates if that changes how travel works for BFC personnel.

No immediate change for Cyprus travel – but do keep this in mind for trips to other EU countries from October onwards.