New rules for travelling and working in Europe: what will change in the short term

Many changes are on the way for those travelling to Europe or wishing to work there. With the introduction of new European border control systems and a stricter Flemish labour migration policy, access will be more strictly controlled, yet also more streamlined and efficient.

Below you can read about the most important changes and their impact.

Entry/Exit System (EES) – phased introduction from 12 October 2025

From 12 October 2025, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will be gradually introduced and will be fully operational by 10 April 2026. The system will automatically register non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) each time they cross the outer borders of the Schengen zone.

The EES replaces the current manual stamping of passports and records:

• data on the travel document;
• biometric data (fingerprints and facial images);
• date and place of entry and exit;
• any refusal of entry.

The aim is to achieve more efficient border controls, better monitoring of overstayers, identification of false documents and enhanced security against serious crime and terrorism.

The system does not apply to the following persons, among others:

• Citizens of European countries that use the EES, as well as Cyprus and Ireland
• Non-EU citizens who hold a residence card and are directly related to an EU citizen
• Non-EU citizens who hold a residence card or permit and are directly related to a non-EU citizen with EU travel rights
• Non-EU citizens travelling to Europe for the purposes of intra-corporate transfers, research, study, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects, and au pair work
• Holders of residence permits and long-stay visas
• Persons exempt from border checks or who have been granted certain privileges, with regard to border checks (such as heads of state, accredited diplomats, cross-border workers, etc.)

European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) – Introduction from the end of 2026

Starting in the last quarter of 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be introduced for 30 European countries. This electronic system requires non-EU citizens exempt from visa to apply for travel authorization before entering the Schengen zone.

The ETIAS authorisation is linked to the passport and is valid for a maximum of three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. A new ETIAS travel authorisation needs to be requested when a new passport is issued.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you like for short stays.

The authorisation can be applied for by completing the application form on the official ETIAS website or via the ETIAS mobile application. Applying for the ETIAS travel authorisation costs £20, but some travellers are exempt from this fee.

New labour migration policy – from 1 January 2026

The Flemish Government has approved new rules for the employment of foreign workers, which will take effect on 1 January 2026.

The revision places greater emphasis on highly skilled positions and medium-skilled shortage occupations. Entry will be restricted for lower-skilled positions, although there will still be some flexibility for temporary seasonal work. In parallel, a new, optional ground for refusal will be introduced that can be applied to employers who work almost exclusively with non-European workers.

Furthermore, the responsible minister will be given the option to temporarily exclude certain jobs linked to seasonal activities from the list of medium-skilled jobs. Additionally, a fee will be payable for each application for a single permit, including renewals, although this measure will only come into effect at a later date.

The new rules were approved in principle by the Flemish Government on 14 July 2025. The draft is now being submitted to the SERV and the Council of State for advice. Applications submitted before 1 January 2026 will still be subject to the current regulations.