EU Entry/Exit System

From 12 October 2025, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) introduces biometric border checks for non-EU travellers, including UK citizens. Learn what it means, how it works, and how to travel with peace of mind.

What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new biometric border control system launching on 12 October 2025. It will apply to non-EU nationals, including British citizens, travelling to the Schengen Area.

Instead of getting a passport stamp, your details will be recorded digitally, including:

A photo (facial image)
Fingerprints
Entry and exit records

This move is part of the EU’s plan to modernise border checks, strengthen security, and track travel more reliably.

Continue reading for more details.

Why is EES being introduced?

The Schengen Entry/Exit System has three main goals:

Stronger border security – preventing overstays and unauthorised entry
More reliable travel records – replacing outdated passport stamping
Smoother future checks – once fully implemented, it should reduce delays

While EES may add a few extra minutes at the border, it’s ultimately designed to make travel safer and more consistent for everyone.

You can also find out more here.

Where is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have agreed to remove internal border controls, allowing people to travel freely between them without passport checks. When you cross into or out of this zone from a non-member country, border checks like the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) apply.

As of 2025, the Schengen Area includes most EU countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, 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.

Notably, some EU countries such as Ireland and Cyprus, are not part of Schengen, and travelling there will not involve EES checks.

In short, if you’re visiting popular holiday destinations like Spain’s beaches, France’s cities, or Italy’s lakes, you’ll be entering the Schengen Area and therefore going through the new EES process.

What UK citizens can expect at the border:

From October 2025, if you’re travelling to Europe, you should expect:

Biometric checks – your photo and fingerprints will be taken the first time you enter or exit the Schengen area.
Travel questions – as today, border officers may ask about your trip, length of stay, or onward travel.
Extra time at passport control – especially in the early months while the system is new.
No pre-registration – there’s nothing to apply for in advance.
No fee – EES is free of charge.

Even with these new checks, the biggest disruptions often come from flight delays or cancellations.

How will cruises be affected?

EES also applies to cruise passengers, but the rules depend on your route:

Cruises starting and ending outside Schengen (e.g. round-trips from the UK) are usually exempt from EES.
Cruises starting in Schengen – you’ll go through EES at your first port of entry.
Cruises ending in Schengen – checks happen when you disembark.

Cruise holidays can be disrupted by delays or cancellations. Protect your plans with our cruise travel insurance.

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Will EES change the way you travel to Europe?

The EU biometric border system will feel different at first. Instead of a quick passport stamp, you’ll pause for a photo and fingerprint scan. While this may slightly increase waiting times during the first months, many border posts are investing in new technology to keep queues moving.

For most travellers, the change is minor, especially when compared with other travel formalities like visas or authorisations. In fact, once established, EES should make entry smoother and more reliable than the current manual process.

Click here to visit the official government EU Entry/Exit System page.

In summary, From 12 October 2025, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace passport stamps with digital records using fingerprints and a photo. It’s free, requires no advance registration, and may add a little extra time at the border during rollout but is designed to make travel safer and more consistent in the future.

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