If you’ve booked a GLO program in Europe for later this year, you’ve probably seen the acronyms ETIAS and EES floating around and wondered if they apply to you. Short answer: yes, eventually, but probably not in the way you’re picturing. Here’s the plain version, current as of July 2026.
What Is EES, and Is It Already Happening?
EES stands for Entry/Exit System. It’s an automated, biometric border check that replaces the old manual passport stamp for non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area. As of April 10, 2026, EES is fully operational across all 29 Schengen countries, including every GLO destination in continental Europe: Italy, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany.
You don’t apply for EES in advance. It happens automatically at the border. On your first entry, you’ll have your photo and fingerprints taken at a kiosk or by a border officer, and after that, your entries and exits are tracked digitally instead of stamped by hand. Expect the process to add a few extra minutes at arrival, especially during peak travel periods, so build in some buffer time for your first landing.
What Is ETIAS, and When Does It Actually Start?
ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is a different thing entirely, and it isn’t live yet. It’s a pre-travel authorization, similar in concept to the US ESTA system, that citizens of visa-exempt countries will need to apply for online before flying to Europe.
Here’s where things stand: ETIAS is confirmed for launch in the last quarter of 2026, most likely October through December, though the EU hasn’t announced an exact date yet. Once it launches, there’s a six-month transition period during which travelers are encouraged, but not strictly required, to have one. Enforcement doesn’t become mandatory until around April 2027, with full strict enforcement following roughly six months after that.
The application costs €20, not the €7 figure that’s still circulating on outdated sites. The fee is waived for travelers under 18 or over 70, and once approved, it’s valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Does This Actually Affect Your GLO Program?
This is the part that matters most, and it depends entirely on your program’s length.
If your program is 90 days or shorter: You’re a short-stay visitor under Schengen rules. Once ETIAS launches and becomes mandatory, you’ll need to apply for one before departure, the same way you’d apply for an ESTA before flying to the US. Most GLO seminars fall into this category.
If your program is longer than 90 days: You’re outside the scope of both the visa-free short-stay rules and ETIAS. You’ll need to work with your program’s international office on a student visa or long-stay residence permit specific to your host country, and ETIAS won’t be the relevant document for you.
If your program runs before ETIAS actually launches: Nothing changes for you. If you’re traveling to Europe before the system goes live, or during the transition window that follows, you can enter on your passport alone, the same way travel has worked for years.
Country-by-Country Notes for GLO Students
Italy, France, the Netherlands, Germany: All are part of the Schengen Area and fully covered under both EES and the upcoming ETIAS requirement.
Switzerland: Also a Schengen member, and subject to the same EES and ETIAS rules as its neighbors, even though it isn’t an EU member state.
The UK: Not part of Schengen and not part of ETIAS. The UK runs its own separate system called the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), which is already live and costs £20. If your program includes London or any other UK stop, you’ll need the UK ETA specifically, not ETIAS. The two are easy to confuse but are entirely different systems run by different governments.
A Quick Timeline
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| April 10, 2026 | EES fully operational across the Schengen Area |
| Q4 2026 (Oct to Dec, exact date TBA) | ETIAS launches, transition period begins |
| Around April 2027 | ETIAS becomes mandatory for boarding |
| Around October 2027 | Full strict enforcement begins |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need ETIAS to study abroad in Europe?
Not yet, but you likely will soon. ETIAS isn’t live as of mid-2026 and won’t be mandatory until around April 2027. If your program falls within the Schengen 90-day short-stay window and takes place after ETIAS launches, you’ll need to apply online before departure. If you’re traveling before launch, or your program requires a student visa because it runs longer than 90 days, ETIAS isn’t the document you need.
What is the difference between EES and ETIAS?
EES is a border check that happens automatically when you arrive in Europe, and it’s already fully in effect as of April 2026. ETIAS is a separate, advance online authorization you apply for before you travel, and it isn’t live yet. One happens at the border, the other happens before you leave home.
How much does ETIAS cost?
The confirmed fee is €20 per application, waived for travelers under 18 or over 70. It’s valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Will ETIAS affect a short GLO seminar in Europe?
Once ETIAS becomes mandatory, most GLO seminars, which typically run well under 90 days, will require it for entry. Students should plan to apply online a few weeks before departure once the application portal opens, which is expected shortly before the Q4 2026 launch.
Do UK programs require ETIAS?
No. The UK is not part of the Schengen Area or the ETIAS system. It uses its own separate authorization, the UK ETA, which is already live and required for entry.
Where can students apply for ETIAS once it launches?
Only through the official EU travel authorization portal once it opens. Students should be cautious of third-party websites currently claiming to process ETIAS applications, since the official system has not gone live yet and any site charging for applications now is not legitimate.
