Travelling to Europe and the UK from Argentina: The New Border Checks Explained

Europe remains one of the favourite destinations for Argentines, whether for holidays, visiting family in Spain or Italy, or a trip to London. You still do not need a visa for short visits. But the way you cross the border has changed, and more changes are coming.

Here is a simple guide to what is running now, what is still to come, and what you need before you board your flight.

The Basics Have Not Changed

As an Argentine citizen, you can visit the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180 day period, for tourism, family visits or business. The 90 days are counted across all Schengen countries together, not per country.

New: Fingerprints and Face Scans

Since 10 April 2026, the Entry/Exit System, known as EES, has been fully running at the external borders of the 29 Schengen countries. On your first entry, your passport is scanned, your face is photographed and your fingerprints are taken. Children under 12 are not fingerprinted. EES is free and you do not apply in advance.

EES replaces passport stamps. It counts your days automatically, so overstays are easy to detect. Ireland and Cyprus do not use it.

Still to Come: ETIAS

ETIAS is an online travel permit that visa exempt visitors, including Argentines, will need for Europe. It is not running yet. In July 2026, the EU removed its last quarter of 2026 target, and as of October 2026 there is no official launch date. When it starts, it will cost 20 euros and will usually be valid for three years.

The United Kingdom Is Different

The UK is not part of Schengen and has its own rules. Argentines can visit for up to six months without a visa, but you now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, before you travel. It costs 20 pounds, is applied for on GOV.UK or the official app, and allows several visits over two years or until your passport expires.

Your Pre Flight Checklist

1. Check that your passport is valid well beyond your return date.
2. Count your days if you visited Europe in the last six months.
3. Apply for the UK ETA on the official website if London is on your route.
4. Carry proof of accommodation, return flights and enough money.
5. Allow extra time at the airport on your first EES entry.

Avoid These Traps

• Websites selling ETIAS today. It is not running.
• Copycat UK ETA sites charging far more than 20 pounds.
• Assuming dual nationals can mix passports freely. Enter and leave with the same passport.

If you hold both Argentine and another nationality, such as Italian or Spanish, the rules can be different for you. EU citizens do not go through EES and will not need ETIAS. But you must enter and leave using the same passport, and you should not switch passports in the middle of a trip, because the border record would no longer match.

Students, workers and anyone planning to stay longer than 90 days need a national visa from the country where they will live. A long stay visa or residence permit is a different process from a tourist visit, and EES rules apply differently to residence permit holders. Check the rules of that specific country before you travel.

Finally, keep a simple record of your trips. A note on your phone with each entry and exit date makes it easy to check the 90 day rule before you plan your next visit.

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Before You Rely on Any Figure

The rules above reflect official EU and UK information as of October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change, so check the official government website on the day you act. For questions about your own case, speak to a licensed immigration lawyer or an authorised representative. World Visa Academy is a training academy; it does not file applications or guarantee any visa or outcome.

The Honest Summary

Argentines still enjoy visa free trips to Europe and the UK, but borders are more digital and stricter. EES is running now, the UK ETA is required, and ETIAS will come later. Prepare before you fly and use only official websites.

Key takeaways

• Argentines can still visit the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in 180.
• Since 10 April 2026, the Entry/Exit System records your fingerprints and face at the border.
• ETIAS is not running and has no launch date as of October 2026.
• For the UK, you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, which costs 20 pounds.