In 2025, the European Union is preparing to fully implement two of the most consequential travel security systems in its history: the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit System (EES). 

These frameworks are designed to modernize border management, increase migration oversight, and strengthen the Schengen Area’s defenses against irregular entry and overstays. Together, they represent the most significant changes to European border management in decades.

For families planning vacations, school travel, business relocations, or multi-generational trips, the impact of ETIAS and EES is profound. Unlike business travelers or solo tourists, families must coordinate multiple travelers across varying ages, nationalities, and documentation requirements. 

Children must be enrolled in biometric systems, elderly relatives may need extra assistance at border kiosks, and mixed-nationality families must navigate different obligations under ETIAS and EES.

Amicus International Consulting has tracked the rollout of these systems and noted a significant increase in traveler education initiatives. Governments, airlines, and travel agencies are investing heavily in outreach, aiming to prepare travelers for the transition. 

Families who take advantage of these resources and pre-stage biometrics will benefit from smoother journeys, reduced delays, and lower risk of boarding denials.

Understanding ETIAS

ETIAS is a digital pre-travel authorization system. It applies to nationals of more than 60 countries that currently enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and Japan. Modeled on the U.S. ESTA and Canada’s eTA, ETIAS requires travelers to complete an online application before departure.

The process involves submitting personal data, passport details, and security-related information, as well as paying a fee. Most applications will be approved within minutes, though some may take days if further checks are required. Once issued, an ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

For families, this means every member, including children and infants, must obtain ETIAS authorization. Airlines will be obligated to check authorizations before boarding, making ETIAS approval as essential as carrying a passport.

Understanding EES

The Entry/Exit System replaces the practice of manual passport stamping with a digital record of entries and exits. It will apply to all non-EU nationals traveling to the Schengen Area, regardless of whether they require visas.

EES will register the traveler’s name, passport details, date and place of entry and exit, as well as biometric data. Fingerprints and facial images will be collected at the border, either at automated kiosks or by border officials. Data will be stored for three years for short-stay travelers, and five years for overstayers.

For families, EES means that even children will have biometric records linked to their passports. Parents should prepare minors for fingerprinting and face scans, while elderly travelers may require additional assistance.

Why Families Must Prepare Differently

Families face challenges not encountered by solo travelers:

• Children and Biometrics: Children often struggle with fingerprint scanning due to smaller hands or fidgeting. Parents should prepare children by practicing with mock devices or explaining the process in advance.
• Elderly Travelers: Older relatives may have difficulties with biometric kiosks. Some may need manual assistance, which can extend processing times.
• Group Coordination: Families traveling together must ensure that all members’ ETIAS authorizations are secured well before departure. A missing authorization for one child can delay the entire group.
• Mixed Nationalities: In families with dual-national parents or children, some may require ETIAS while others may not, depending on the passport used. Careful planning prevents confusion.

Case Study 1: Canadian Family Planning a Summer Vacation

A family of four from Toronto planning a trip to Italy in 2026 began preparations early in 2025. Both parents and their two children applied for ETIAS authorizations well in advance of peak summer demand. 

They also reviewed the EES requirements and practiced fingerprint scanning with their children at home. On arrival in Rome, the children confidently completed biometric checks, and the family moved quickly through the airport. Their proactive approach avoided the delays that many other families experienced.

Case Study 2: Dual-National Family with EU and U.S. Passports

A family with a German parent and two U.S.-born children faced different requirements. The German parent did not need ETIAS, but the children traveling on U.S. passports did. By securing ETIAS approvals for the children and carrying proof of family relationship, the family avoided confusion at the border. 

They traveled together smoothly, with the parents’ EU passports exempting them from ETIAS while the children’s authorizations ensured compliance.

Case Study 3: Extended Family Traveling Across Borders

An extended family group of eight, including grandparents and young children, planned a tour of Spain and Portugal. By staging biometric readiness in 2025, the group ensured that the elderly members were familiar with kiosk procedures and the children had valid ETIAS approvals. 

They also carried notarized consent forms for minors traveling with grandparents, preventing issues at border crossings. Their preparation allowed them to move through Schengen borders without delays, unlike other families who were stopped for incomplete documentation.

Pre-Staging Biometrics: What Families Can Do

Pre-staging means preparing biometric and authorization requirements before travel. Families can:

• Submit ETIAS Applications Early: Apply months before travel to avoid peak demand delays.
• Practice with Children: Demonstrate how fingerprint scanners and cameras work to help reduce children’s anxiety.
• Plan Extra Time: Allow additional time for first-time EES entry, especially during peak seasons.
• Use Family Lanes: Many airports will offer designated lanes for families, which should be prioritized.
• Carry Extra Documents: For minors, bring birth certificates, custody documents, or proof of parental relationship.

Risks of Failing to Prepare

Families who do not prepare risk:

• Denied boarding due to missing ETIAS authorizations.
• Long delays at border control, particularly with children or elderly travelers.
• Secondary screening if applications are inconsistent or incomplete.
• Legal complications arise if children travel with one parent or guardian without consent documentation.

Airlines, Travel Agencies, and Education Campaigns

Airlines will play a central role in enforcing ETIAS. They will be responsible for verifying authorizations before allowing passengers to board. Travel agencies are also updating their booking platforms to include ETIAS reminders and guidance. Several airlines are piloting biometric pre-staging programs, allowing families to upload facial images and pre-clear data before arrival.

Governments across Europe are launching education campaigns in multiple languages, explaining ETIAS and EES requirements. These efforts target frequent travelers, schools, and family groups most likely to face challenges.

Case Study 4: Frequent Business Family

A family with parents who traveled frequently for work and children attending an international school required a sustainable compliance plan. They integrated ETIAS renewal reminders into their family calendar, ensuring that children’s authorizations were always valid. They also familiarized their children with biometric kiosks, reducing anxiety during frequent trips. Their systematic approach allowed seamless travel, even under the new border management regimes.

Global Implications and Comparisons

The EU’s move mirrors systems in other jurisdictions:

• United States: ESTA and biometric exit programs are already standard. U.S. citizens are accustomed to pre-travel authorizations.
• Canada: eTA requirements and airport biometrics provide a comparable model.
• UK: The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, set to expand in 2025, requires all non-visa nationals to obtain prior clearance.
• Asia: Countries such as Singapore and South Korea have adopted biometric fast-track programs, though few require pre-travel authorizations.

Families traveling globally will increasingly face similar requirements, making early preparation essential.

Case Study 5: Mixed-Nationality Family Relocating for Work

A family relocating from the United States to France for a multi-year assignment encountered both ETIAS and EES requirements. The U.S.-national parent and children required ETIAS, while the EU-national spouse did not. 

The family pre-staged ETIAS authorizations, prepared biometric readiness sessions for the children, and carried complete documentation for residency registration. This allowed them to complete their entry smoothly and begin their relocation process without delays.

Amicus International Consulting’s Role

Amicus International Consulting helps families build comprehensive readiness plans. Our services include:

• Pre-travel audits of ETIAS and EES requirements for each family member.
• Guidance on dual-national and mixed-passport families.
• Support in securing ETIAS approvals in advance.
• Education strategies for children to reduce biometric anxiety.
• Preparation of supplemental documents such as consent forms and custody records.

By working with Amicus, families ensure they are fully prepared for ETIAS and EES, reducing stress and safeguarding lawful entry into Europe.

Looking Ahead

The full rollout of ETIAS and EES will coincide with peak travel periods in 2026. Families that prepare in 2025 will benefit from smoother journeys and fewer disruptions. Those who fail to prepare risk delays, denied boarding, or legal complications. Pre-staging biometrics and securing ETIAS authorizations should now be considered as essential as booking flights and accommodations.

Conclusion

ETIAS and EES represent a new era of border management for Europe. Families traveling to the Schengen Area must adjust to biometric systems, pre-travel authorizations, and expanded documentation requirements. 

With preparation, these systems can work smoothly, but without preparation, they will create significant barriers. Amicus International Consulting stands ready to guide families through this transition, ensuring that lawful travel remains efficient, secure, and stress-free.

Contact Information

Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.amicusint.ca