European Union
Entry/Exit System becomes fully operational 10 April 2026
The European Commission has confirmed that the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will become fully operational as of 10 April 2026.
The EES, which started operations on 12 October 2025 with a progressive roll-out in 29 European countries, replaces passport stamping with digitally recorded entries, exits or refusals of entry of non-EU nationals coming for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). Travellers’ facial image, fingerprints and personal data from the travel document are recorded at the border on entry.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is scheduled to start operations in the last quarter of 2026. ETIAS changes the way visa-free nationals travel to 30 European countries for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). It requires these travellers to apply for a travel authorisation online before a trip.
Poland
Nationals of Colombia, Georgia and Venezuela cannot work without a visa
On 27 March 2026, the government published a draft regulation which specifies that work permit holders who are nationals of certain countries cannot work if they are in Poland on the basis of the visa-free regime.
According to the regulation, nationals of Colombia, Georgia and Venezuela who wish to work in Poland will need to obtain the relevant national visa or residence permit before taking up employment, even if they already hold a work permit.
The draft includes a transitional measure, permitting citizens of the three countries who have already started work in Poland during a visa-free stay before the regulation comes into force, to continue working under the existing rules.
