The way Britons travel to Europe is set to change later this year amid a phasing out of traditional border checks.

Meanwhile, there are also changes afoot for people travelling to the UK from Europe and other parts of the world.

Here, Yahoo News UK breaks down some of the key changes to expect in the months ahead.

Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

Visitors to the UK face a £6 increase in the cost of a digital permit known as an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

The Home Office wants to raise the maximum price of an ETA, which currently costs £10, to £16.

Legislation to enact the change was laid before Parliament last month and is subject to approval. It is not known when the price rises may be implemented.

The ETA system was only introduced in November 2023.

It is a digital permission to travel, linked to a traveller’s passport, that is required for all non-Europeans entering the UK without legal residence rights or a visa. They will become a requirement for Europeans from 2 April.

The Home Office says they ensure “more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK”, which helps prevent “abuse of our immigration system”.

Entry/exit system (EES)

The entry/exit system (EES) is set to be used for registering non-EU nationals travelling to the EU for a short stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

The system will register the traveller’s name, type of travel document, biometric data such as fingerprints and captured facial images, and the date and place of entry and exit.

It will replace the current system of manually stamping passports. The system will be used by the 29 countries in the Schengen Area, which guarantees free movement to its 450 million EU citizens.

The EU says the EES is “due to start later in 2025” with an announcement about the date “several months prior to its launch”.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

The EES is linked to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), another new entry requirement for travellers to enter 30 European countries: the 29 Schengen Area nations as well as Cyprus.

With ETIAS, which is not a visa, travellers must apply well in advance for a travel authorisation before starting their trip.

Travellers must go online and provide personal information such as address, passport information, current occupation, past travel to conflict zones or any criminal convictions. But unlike EES, no biometric data is collected.

The ETIAS, which will cost about £6, will be valid for three years or until the passport used for the application runs out, whichever comes first.

The ETIAS is expected to launch six months after the EES is fully rolled out, so it is likely to be some time in 2026. By then, UK travellers will need authorisation from both systems to travel to the EU.

eVisas

Physical records of a person’s immigration status proving their right to be in the UK have been phased out. As of January, they were replaced by eVisas.

The move affected people using a biometric residence permit (BRP) or a biometric residence card (BRC).

It is part of government efforts to use a completely digital immigration and border system.

Ministers hope the changes will cut the risk of fraud, loss and abuse of paperwork, as well as boost border security and save money.

The eVisa will be linked to the person’s biometric information – physical features like fingerprints – to protect against identity fraud.

It will mean Border Force officers inspecting someone’s immigration status will be able to carry out checks using an online service and visa holders will be able to access their digital record anywhere instantly.