The federal government has issued fresh travel advice for most European countries ahead of new entry requirements for Aussie travellers.
On its Smartraveller website, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says that a “new European Entry/Exit System (EES) starts on 12 October for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area”.
The Schengen zone spans 29 European nations with the same border policies, allowing eligible travellers to cross between member countries without border checks or needing separate visas for each destination. So, travellers from non-EU nations, like Australia, are subject to the new laws.
According to DFAT, the EES will gradually roll out at participating countries’ external borders.
“Data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points, with full implementation by 10 April 2026,” it states.
“When you enter the Schengen area on your first visit to Europe after the EES is introduced, you will be required to have your fingerprints and photo taken; answer Schengen Border Code questions.
“This will create a digital record that registers your biometric details.”
Registration will be free and take just minutes, but DFAT warns that queues may be longer when the system begins. Visitors won’t need to do anything before arriving in the Schengen zone.
According to Smartraveller, regular visitors to Schengen must keep their total stays under 90 days per 180 days, regardless of which passport is used. Overstaying triggers EES alerts, risking fines, detention, deportation or future EU entry bans.
The new process comes ahead of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) launch in the last quarter of 2026.
ETIAS will apply to all non-EU nationals from visa-exempt countries – including Australia and New Zealand – and will cost €20 (around AU$35).
For more information on ETIAS, visit the official EU website.
