EU Launches Travel to Europe App for Border Crossings
The free, optional app lets eligible non-EU travellers submit passport details and travel information up to 72 hours before entering participating countries.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Europe
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The European Union has launched the Travel to Europe app, which allows eligible non-EU travellers to submit travel details before crossing a border. The app is currently available for travellers entering Sweden and Portugal.
Why it matters
The app is designed to reduce the time border officials spend registering travellers at crossing points, as the EU's Entry/Exit System now digitally records arrivals and departures in place of passport stamps. Submitting information through the app does not guarantee entry and does not change visa requirements.
The app accepts journey submissions up to 72 hours before travel, based on the official app description. Sweden supports passport information, a facial image and an entry questionnaire, while Portugal currently supports only the entry questionnaire, and rollout to other countries remains unspecified.
The players
Frontex
Frontex is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the EU agency responsible for external border management, which developed the application.
The details
Travellers download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, create a journey by selecting a country, border crossing point and expected arrival time, then scan a biometric passport, take a selfie and answer travel questions. Passengers must still follow border officials' instructions upon arrival.
Timeline
Earlier this year: The EU Entry/Exit System became fully operational.
November 8, 2026: The Travel to Europe app launched.
This winter: UAE residents may use the app for European travel.
Europe Travel Context
The app follows the EU Entry/Exit System, which replaced passport stamping with digital records of arrivals and departures of eligible non-EU travellers. It adds a pre-arrival submission step that operates alongside that system at participating borders.
Travellers can submit passport details, a facial image and entry answers up to 72 hours before crossing, but must still follow border officials' instructions on arrival. Submitting through the app does not guarantee entry or change visa requirements.
The takeaway
Travellers entering participating European countries can save border time by submitting their information in advance through the free app. It remains optional, and entry is still subject to border officials' decisions on arrival.
Further reading
For more on the continent's entry rules, see Europe travel coverage.
More information
Read more in the Khaleej Times report on flying to Europe from the UAE this winter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Khaleej Times.
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