What is the Entry/Exit System?
The European Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new system that will make border checks in the Schengen area more secure.
If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when you arrive. EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU.
When EES is introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated kiosks.
You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country.
Your digital record is valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.
What is happening?
The EU is introducing a new digital border system called the Entry/Exit System (EES). This will affect most travellers from non-EU countries, including those from the UK. It will apply to those travelling to the Schengen area which encompasses all EU countries, except from Cyprus and Ireland. Additionally, the non-EU States Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also part of the Schengen area and will introduce EES.
How EES will affect travel
The UK Government is working with the EU to minimise travel disruptions. They are funding ports and carriers to set up the necessary technology.
- Eurostar will have about 50 kiosks for EES checks.
- Eurotunnel will have over 100 kiosks, adding around 5 minutes to journey times.
- The Port of Dover will use 24 kiosks and mobile agents to speed up the process.
How will EES affect your travel?
When EES starts, you’ll need to register at border checkpoints like ports and airports. This might cause longer queues.
At some ports in the south of England (Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras – where the French operate juxtaposed immigration checks in the UK), there may be increased wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK.
Passengers travelling through one of these ports should check with their travel operator before they leave to travel, to find out when to arrive at the port and any potential impacts to their journey. Make sure you are prepared in case you need to queue for a long period.
Why is the EU introducing EES?
The EES will help make the Schengen area borders more secure by:
- Keeping digital records of visitors.
- Preventing identity fraud and illegal migration.
- Replacing passport stamping with automated checks to ensure people don’t overstay.
This system is part of a bigger plan to improve EU border security. Many countries are moving towards digital border systems for better security. The UK is also implementing its own digital border controls.
In 2025, the EU is due to introduce a separate system, called the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). ETIAS will require a payment of €7. It has not launched meaning you cannot apply or pay for one yet, and anything claiming you must pay for EES is incorrect and fraudulent.
What if I have Withdrawal Agreement rights?
If you are a British national living in the EU and a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement (WA), you are exempt from registration in the EES if you can produce your WA residence document. The UK government strongly urges all UK nationals covered under the WA to obtain their WA document. Check with your local embassy for which document you need.
If you cannot produce this document, you are likely to be registered in the EES and face difficulties when travelling. Please speak to a border official and state you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.
The name of the WA document allowing exemption from EES varies by country. Please consult your country’s Living in Guide for more detail.
What can I do?
- Visit the Travel Advice page on gov.uk for your destination so you know the full entry requirements
- Please have all that you need prepared in case you need to queue for a long period. This includes any medication, food or water you may need.
- Follow the advice of your travel operator