What is the Entry/Exit System?
From 12 October 2025, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin.
This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British nationals travelling to the Schengen area.
The countries in the Schengen area are:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and/or a photo, when you arrive. EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU.
EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts.
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 travelling to the Schengen area
The UK government has been working closely with the European Commission, member states, local authorities and the travel industry to prepare ports for EES. The government is supporting ports and carriers to ensure EES registration is simple for people travelling to the Schengen area.
UK government support includes providing Eurostar, Eurotunnel and Port of Dover with £3.5 million each, to spend on registration kiosks and infrastructure.
Eurostar expects EES registration to be quick and easy. It will have 50 kiosks across 3 locations at stations for people to carry out the checks.
Eurotunnel will have over 100 kiosks and estimate EES checks will add just over 5 minutes to journey times.
Port of Dover will have 24 kiosks for coach passengers and will register passengers in cars using agents and tablets to make the process as straightforward as possible.
If you are travelling to the Schengen area
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 booths.
You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country.
If you are flying to a country in the Schengen area, you may experience longer queue times when you arrive at your destination.
If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, this information will be taken at the border, before you leave the UK. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area.
If you frequently travel to the Schengen area for work and/or leisure purposes, you must ensure that your total stay in the Schengen area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. You must be aware of the penalty and enforcement approach for exceeding the immigration limit in any individual Member State you plan to travel to, or through.
Your digital EES 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.
Why the EU is introducing EES
EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area. It will automate border control checks to help the EU stop visitors overstaying.
EES is part of wider work the EU is doing to strengthen their border security. In the last quarter of 2026, the EU is expected to start operations of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). No action is required from travellers at this point. The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS before its launch.
When ETIAS is introduced, you will need to apply for authorisation to enter Schengen area countries if using a UK passport. You will need to provide personal information and details about your trip, and pay a 7 Euro fee, as part of the authorisation process.
The EU has already set out more information on ETIAS, including what information will be required from each nationality, on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.
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.
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.
Travelling by cruise
EES requirements for cruise ship passengers will vary depending on their departure and arrival ports. Sailings that start and finish their journey outside of the Schengen area (i.e. at a UK port) will generally be exempt from EES checks, including for any day trips into the Schengen area that are part of their itinerary.
Travellers who disembark a cruise within the Schengen area, and travel on to a further destination, including an alternative port, by other means, will need to complete EES checks when leaving the ship. Travellers should seek further advice from their operator or travel agent on any potential impacts this may have to their journey.
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
- Find out more information on the EES initiative on the EU’s official Travel Europe website