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- Written by: Administrator
What did Brexit mean for me?
I had been living in Portugal since Septemebr 2007 so when the Brexit Referendum took place, on 23 June 2016, I was well and truely and expat, so it mean a lot to me an my family.
Leading up to the vote I worked closely with the British Consulate in Lisbon to promote Register Your Vote, through my magazine, websites and Social Media. It was a sucessful campaign but still many people did not register. It still amazes me how many eligeable people did not vote in suce a crucial referendum, that has now affected the lives of all expats and British residents.
On the night of the vote I was at a friends house for a Brexit Party. Wine was flowing and we were feeling hopefull, as 3am came around it was clear that the vote was going to wrong way.
What, Why, how....everyone was bemused how this could have happened, how could people be so stupid ?
It was only then that I descovered that the wife of the host had voted Leave, and she was pround of the fact they had won ??
Years later I asked her if she was still proud of her vote? Now she cannot believe all the lies that were told. Unfortunately I think that applies to a lot of people who voted Leave.
In 2026 we are now 10 years on from the vote. The main effect for travellers from UK to Europe is they now need to register for the EES system and they are limited to how long they can stay in the EU and Schenghen areas, to a maximun of 90 days within a 180 day rolling period. Also, European, US and other 3rd country travellers to the UK now must register for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation).
Deliveries from the UK to Europe, especially Portugal are almost impossible now. They are stopped at customs, lost or turned back most of the time. It means that many only shops that we used to buy from have becomome off-limits.
The UK is starting to talk with Brussels again about what compromises they can make, so watch this space, but even if teh UK decided to Rejoin, it will take a very long time to get back to where we were pre 2016.
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- Written by: Administrator
The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is a major change in border management that becomes fully operational in April 2026. Designed to modernise border control across the Schengen Area, the system replaces traditional passport stamping with a fully digital, automated process. Although it began rolling out in October 2025, all participating countries were required to implement it at their external borders by 10 April 2026.
Update Sep 2026 - Anyone watching the news or traveling this year will know that in many countries it was a disaster, with long queues and missed flights. In Portugal there were reported 5 hour delays at the EES desks, so they were suspended during the summer. The EU has said said that all member states must be fully operational by 6 September 2026, which is the end of the 'transition period'.
The EES is an automated IT system that records the entry and exit of non-EU nationals travelling for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It applies to both visa-required and visa-exempt travellers from outside of the European Union. Instead of receiving a physical stamp in their passport, travellers will have their personal data recorded electronically, including their name, travel document details, and biometric information such as fingerprints and facial images. If you want to know more you can visit the official EES site.
One of the main goals of the EES is to enhance security and efficiency at EU borders. By digitising border checks, authorities can better monitor who enters and leaves the Schengen Area and automatically detect individuals who overstay their permitted time. This is a significant improvement over the old manual system, which made it difficult to track overstayers accurately.
In addition to improving security, the system is intended to speed up border procedures in the long term. Automated kiosks and e-gates will allow travellers to register their details quickly, reducing reliance on manual checks by border guards. However, during the initial implementation phase in April to September 2026, delays are expected as travellers and border authorities adapt to the new procedures. Early reports already suggest longer waiting times at some airports and border crossings. Faro and Lisbon airports in Portugal have already seen very long queues on some days this year.
The EES also introduces a more transparent way for travellers to monitor their stay. Individuals will be able to check how many days they have left within the Schengen Area, helping them comply with visa rules. Data collected under the system will generally be stored for up to three years, meaning frequent travellers will not need to re-register every time they visit.
Overall, the Entry/Exit System represents a significant step toward a more digital and secure European border system. While its launch in April 2026 may bring short-term challenges, it is expected to improve efficiency, strengthen security, and provide better oversight of travel into and out of the European Union in the long run.
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- Written by: Joomla
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