5 Big Travel Rules for European Travelers in 2025

5 Big Travel Rules for European Travelers in 2025

Imagine having your dream European Vacation 
cancelled because you didn’t know about crucial new changes that are going to affect 
millions of passengers traveling to Europe in the next few months. Hey there travelers! It’s 
Danielle from Expat Livin’—and if Europe is on your 2025 bucket list, I’ve got some very 
important news that might just save your trip from last-minute chaos, unnecessary 
fees, or flat-out denial at the border. Because… big changes are coming – and in 
some places, they have already arrived. We’re talking biometric scans, new digital 
authorizations, updated carry-on rules, and even some hopeful goodbyes to 
that dreaded Ziploc bag of liquids. So, before you book that dreamy Mediterranean 
escape or a castle-hopping adventure across the UK—I’m walking you through the top 5 most 
important travel changes coming to Europe in 2025. #1: ETIAS – The New “Pre-Check” for Europe
So the first—and arguably biggest—change is ETIAS. That’s short for European Travel Information 
and Authorization System, and it is supposed to officially launch in the Fourth Quarter of 
2026 – though this timeframe has already changed a few times – but we will keep you updated.
If you’re from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., or any of 60+ visa-exempt countries, you’ll 
need an ETIAS to enter the Schengen Area. No ETIAS? No entry. What is the Schengan Area, 
you ask? Well, The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries that have abolished 
internal borders, allowing travelers to move freely between them without passport checks. It’s 
like traveling between states in the U.S.—once you’re in, you can go from France to Germany 
to Italy without stopping at a single border. So the new ETIAS is like Europe’s 
version of the U.S. ESTA. Here’s how it works:
You apply online and submit your passport info, travel plans, and basic background questions.
It costs €7 (but it’s free for travelers under 18 or over 70).
It’s valid for 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Now here’s the kicker: while approvals can be lightning fast—sometimes within minutes—they 
can take up to 96 hours, so do not leave this for the night before your flight.
Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder a month before your trip and just knock it out.
#2: ETA – The U.K.’s New Travel Authorization Now, let’s cross the Channel to 
the U.K. Because in January 2025, the U.K. rolled out its own system called 
ETA—the Electronic Travel Authorization. If you’re from the U.S., Canada, Australia, 
or even the EU, this applies to you. It’s mandatory whether you’re visiting or just 
transiting through the U.K. (yes, even for that 3-hour Heathrow layover).
Here’s the deal: You apply using the U.K. ETA mobile app.
It costs £12 and is valid for 2 years with multiple entries allowed.
You can stay for up to 6 months at a time. Oh, and it’s digitally linked to your 
passport—so no paper trail, no forgetting it at home. But don’t wait till check-in. 
Some approvals take up to 3 business days. I was just in London a few weeks ago, and 
sure enough, I had to apply for the ETA for my trip. But, a quick warning, there 
are some websites out there that will file the ETA for you and charge up to $150 to do 
it – and they are legitimate sites, however, applying for yourself is so simple, it takes 2 
minutes and will only cost about $15 – so don’t get suckered into paying more than necessary.
#3: EES – Say Goodbye to Passport Stamps Okay, let’s talk about EES, or the Entry/Exit 
System, coming across the European Union. This system replaces the charming 
but totally disorganized ritual of border officers stamping your passport.
Instead, you’ll get scanned—fingerprints and facial recognition. Very Mission 
Impossible, minus the dramatic music. Here’s why this matters:
Your entry and exit will be tracked automatically. There’s no more fudging your travel days. The 
system knows exactly how long you’ve stayed. Overstaying your 90-day limit? That’ll 
be a lot harder to get away with. European countries using the EES will introduce 
the system gradually at their external borders. The system will officially begin on October 
12, 2025, which means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing 
points with full implementation by 10 April 2026. The goal here is to make Europe’s borders 
more secure and efficient—but yes, you’re going to miss those stamps. Maybe 
start a sticker collection instead? #4: Standardized Carry-On Rules 
(Especially for U.S. Travelers) Let’s shift to something a little closer 
to the airplane cabin: carry-on rules. The U.S. is finally working on standardizing its 
carry-on size rules across all major airlines. Say goodbye to guessing between 
Delta, Spirit, or Southwest—soon there will be one size to rule them all:
22 x 14 x 9 inches (or 56 x 40 x 23 cm). Weight limits will also be enforced more 
consistently: expect 7–10 kg or 15–22 lbs. Here’s why this matters:
If your current carry-on is just a little too chunky, it might not fly anymore (literally).
Expect more bag sizers at gates and more surprise fees if you’re not careful.
And Europe? Their airlines are already ahead of the game—with stricter size and weight 
limits. So double-check your airline’s specific rules before you pack. Your wallet will thank you.
#5: Changes to the Liquid Rules (YES, Finally) Okay, let’s talk about the one rule we 
all love to hate: the 3-1-1 liquid rule. You know—3.4 ounces (100ml), 1 
quart-sized Ziploc, 1 bag per person. Well… it might be on its way out.
Thanks to upgraded airport scanners in the U.K. and elsewhere in Europe, some airports 
are relaxing liquid restrictions altogether. That means:
You might not need to pull out your liquids anymore.
Bottles over 100ml may soon be allowed. Ziplocs could become a relic of the past.
BUT—and this is a big but—not all airports are there yet. So don’t toss your baggies just 
yet. Check the rules for your departure airport, and your return one. Because while London 
might be relaxed, New York probably isn’t. So there you have it—five major travel rule 
changes for 2025 that could make or break your European adventure.
ETIAS for Europe ETA for the UK
EES border system New carry-on limits
Liquid rule shakeups The world of travel is changing fast, but 
don’t let that stop you from exploring it. Just be prepared, plan ahead, and maybe 
start practicing your “passport photo face” for those biometric scans.
If you found this helpful, go ahead and hit that like button and 
subscribe for more Expat Livin’ tips, on travel or moving abroad and comment 
below with your next dream destination—I’d love to know where you’re headed!
Until next time—this is Danielle Py Salas from Expat Livin – happy 
travels and smooth security checks!

✈️ Planning a Trip to Europe in 2025 or 2026? Watch THIS First! 🌍
Big changes are coming to European travel in 2025—and if you’re from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, or any visa-exempt country, you must know about the new ETA and ETIAS rules before you fly! In this video, I’ll break down the top 5 essential travel updates including the new Schengen entry rules, digital authorizations, carry-on restrictions, and more.
Whether you’re dreaming of Paris, London, Rome, or a European rail adventure—don’t let these rule changes catch you off guard. Know before you go, and travel with confidence! 🚆🧳
👀 Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Major travel changes for Europe in 2025
00:53 – What is ETIAS and why you need it to enter the Schengen Zone (correction – free for people under 18 and over 70)
02:23 – UK ETA rules: What travelers to Britain need to know
03:40 – EES: Biometric scans replacing passport stamps
04:45 – Standardized US carry-on rules and European airline baggage limits
05:45 – Goodbye 3-1-1? Liquid rule updates at airports
06:40 – Final tips + how to stay prepared for European travel in 2025
📌 What You’ll Learn:
What is ETIAS and how to apply
UK’s new ETA system for travelers and transits
EES biometric border checks
Carry-on size & weight limits in Europe and the U.S.
Liquid rule changes at airports

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