ABTA Letter - Collective Passports

05 June 2026 Dear Minister, I am writing on behalf of ABTA — The Travel Association, to seek clarity on the future of collective passports for UK school groups following the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), and the forthcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). ABTA is the UK’s trade association for travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry, representing over 4,000 travel brands with a combined annual UK turnover of more than £40 billion. ABTA works with its members to enable a successful and sustainable travel industry, as well as to provide travellers with advice, guidance and support. A key priority for our industry is maintaining educational and cultural exchange between the UK and the EU. School travel offers enormous value - broadening young people’s horizons, fostering cultural understanding, and supporting local economies both in the UK and across Europe. Collective passports have historically provided a practical and widely accepted travel document for UK school groups visiting Estonia. However, given that both EES and ETIAS are designed around the registration of individual travellers, we are seeking to understand how Estonia intends to approach collective passports going forward.

Specifically, we would be grateful if you could advise on the following:

1. Whether Estonia will continue to accept collective passports as a valid travel document for UK school groups following the introduction of EES and ETIAS.

2. If collective passports will no longer be accepted, what alternative documentation or processes would you recommend for school groups travelling from the UK?

Clarity on these points is of real practical importance. Many of our members are currently planning itineraries for the upcoming school year and need to provide accurate, reliable guidance to schools, teachers, and parents well in advance of travel.

We would be most grateful for a response at your earliest convenience. Should it be helpful to discuss this further, we would of course welcome the opportunity to arrange a call or meeting at a time that suits you.

Thank you sincerely for your time and assistance. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive Officer CC: Ambassador of Estonia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Minister for the Interior Siseministeerium Pikk 61 15065 Tallinn Estonia