Monday Briefing: UK ETA Deadlines, EU Border Delays, and a Greek Residency Reset
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Here is your weekly briefing on developments affecting expats, internationally mobile professionals, and globally minded families. This week we cover a final warning for those traveling to the UK, a major update on the EU's biometric border rollout, a more "logical" approach to residency in Greece, Portugal’s shifting tax landscape, and a look at why the Thai "long-term" dream just got a little easier to reach.
🇬🇧 UK ETA: "No Permission, No Travel" from February 25th
The UK Home Office has issued a final reminder that its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) becomes mandatory for travellers from 85 visa-exempt countries (including the US, Canada, and most of Europe) on February 25, 2026.
The £16 digital permit is valid for two years and must be obtained before boarding a plane, ferry, or train to the UK. For dual nationals, the advice is clear: if you hold British citizenship but usually travel on a non-EU/UK passport, you must now carry your British passport or a digital Certificate of Entitlement to avoid being denied boarding.
🇪🇺 EU Border Delay: EES Full Rollout Pushed to September
While the Entry/Exit System (EES) - the EU's new biometric border check—launched in late 2025, the "full operational deadline" has been pushed back from April to September 2026.
The delay follows significant "teething problems" at major hubs, where waiting times for biometric registration (fingerprints and facial scans) reportedly hit three hours during peak periods. For expats, this provides a brief window of "breathing room" before the system becomes the universal standard across the Schengen Area.
However, dozens of airports are already using it at a 35% capacity, so don't be surprised if you're asked for a photo and prints on your next trip.
🇬🇷 Greece: A "Logical" Reset for Golden Visas
In a rare move that actually favours the applicant, the Greek government is introducing legislation this month to fix a long-standing frustration with the Golden Visa.
Currently, residence permits are backdated to the application date, meaning that with today’s processing backlogs, a "five-year" card might only have three years of actual validity left by the time you receive it.
From 2026, the five-year clock will only start on the day the card is issued. It’s a small administrative shift, but one that provides significantly better value and less paperwork for investors and their families.
🇵🇹 Portugal: The Era of "NHR 2.0" and the Madeira Pivot
The transition from the old Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) scheme to the new Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI) is now complete. Unlike the old "passive" model, the 2026 landscape is explicitly activity-driven.
The new "NHR 2.0" targets high-value professionals (tech, AI, and healthcare) with a 20% flat tax rate, but notably excludes pension income. Interestingly, Madeira is emerging as the strategic choice for 2026; the region’s new budget maintains a reduced maximum IRS rate of 33.6% (lower than the mainland) and a 5% corporate tax rate for those who can demonstrate genuine "economic substance."
🇹🇭 Thailand Lowers the "Golden" Bar
Finally, for those looking further afield, Thailand has significantly relaxed the criteria for its Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa for 2026.
In a bid to compete with Europe, they have removed the strict $80,000 annual income requirement for "Wealthy Global Citizens," focusing instead on overall assets and a $500,000 investment.
Perhaps most importantly for families, they have removed the "limit of four" on dependents… you can now bring parents and all legal dependents on the same visa. It's a reminder that while Europe is tightening its borders, other corners of the world are actively rolling out the red carpet.
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