New rules for crossing the border with the EU: what will change for bus carriers in 2026

As previously reported, on October 12, 2025, the European Union launched the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will automatically record all crossings of the EU's external borders by third-country nationals, including Ukrainians traveling to the EU for up to 90 days. The EES will replace manual passport stamping at the borders of 29 European countries. All entries and exits will be recorded electronically, as will refusals of entry. 

What will change for carriers. 

Therefore, from April 10, 2026, all carriers will be required to:

• Be registered with eu-LISA;
• Check all bus passengers traveling to the EU through the program before the bus trip.

What does this mean?

Let us explain schematically. Due to the new border crossing rules, international bus carriers must register with the eu-LISA IT system to obtain information about the status of travelers. The system will record each date of entry and exit, the number of days spent in the Schengen area, as well as cases of refusal of entry to Schengen countries.  

Therefore, from now on, when purchasing a ticket, passengers will be required to provide their foreign passport details, and carriers, in turn, must submit passenger lists through the eu-LISA system so that the system can check them in accordance with EES regulations (replacing passport stamping with electronic registration).

How do carriers register?

1. Go to the website: https://support.travel-europe.europa.eu/register
2. Create a carrier account
3. Use this account to log in to: https://support.travel-europe.europa.eu/servicedesk
4. Fill out the registration request
5. eu-LISA will receive your request and provide further instructions.

What information is required for registration?

1. Legal name of the carrier
2. Contact details: company email, telephone number, postal address; legal representative and backup contact persons (name, telephone number, email, address); functional email for technical support.
3. EU Member State/third country for which registration is being sought.
4. Member States in which the carrier operates or plans to operate in the next 6 months
5. Electronic copies:

• constitutive documents (including articles of association)
• extract from the official register of companies.

Colleagues, please note that carriers must check the validity of travel authorizations before departure to avoid passengers being denied entry at border control points.

We would like to remind you that at the end of 2026, the European Union will introduce a paid entry system to EU countries - ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). This is an electronic travel authorization designed to enhance border security. Citizens of countries with a visa-free regime, including Ukraine, will have to obtain it in advance, online, before a short-term trip (up to 90 days within 180 days) to the Schengen area. This is a short online application that must be completed to confirm compliance with entry requirements (for Ukrainian citizens aged 18 to 70). The ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years or until the expiry date of the foreign passport, whichever comes first.