New EU Entry-Exit System: What British travellers need to know from today

British holidaymakers and business travellers heading to Europe are being urged to prepare for new digital border checks from today, as the EU’s Entry Exit System (EES) begins its phased introduction.

The system, which officially launches on 12 October, will require British passport-holders and other non-EU citizens to register at the EU border by scanning their passport, providing fingerprints, and having a photograph taken.

Once completed, each registration will remain valid for three years or until the traveller’s passport expires.

The EES replaces manual passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, allowing Schengen states to track compliance with the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen border control.

Phased Rollout to Ease Pressure at Borders

The new checks will be introduced gradually over the next six months, with different ports applying the system at different times until April 2026.

Officials say this phased approach is intended to reduce disruption and give transport operators time to adapt, particularly at peak travel periods.

For subsequent visits to participating countries, travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either fingerprints or a photograph — streamlining the process once initial registration is complete.

The EES will apply when entering Schengen area countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, but not when travelling to Ireland or Cyprus.

Checks Before Departure at UK Ports

At Dover, Folkestone (Eurotunnel) and St Pancras International (Eurostar), the process will take place before travellers leave the UK.

To help prepare, the UK Government has provided £10.5 million in funding for ports and operators to install the necessary infrastructure.

Government: “We’re Working to Keep Journeys Smooth”

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, acknowledged the significance of the change:

“We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible.

“The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration.”

Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said the government’s focus is on minimising disruption:

“We’ve backed our ports and operators with £10.5 million to help them get ready for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, ensuring they have the infrastructure and systems in place to manage the changes.

“Our priority is to minimise disruption for travellers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings. We’ll continue working closely with European partners and local resilience forums to keep traffic flowing and journeys smooth.”

Travellers Advised to Allow Extra Time

Travellers do not need to take any action before travelling and the registration process is free. Checks will be carried out upon arrival at the EU border and are expected to take one to two minutes per person.

However, the government has cautioned that first-time registrations may cause longer wait times, particularly during holiday peaks.

At the UK’s juxtaposed ports, where checks occur before departure, travellers may face slightly longer queues, though Eurostar, Eurotunnel, and the Port of Dover have introduced contingency measures to ease congestion.

Awareness Campaign Underway

A national awareness campaign, launched last month, is helping to inform the public about the new rules through social media, travel websites, and operator announcements.

Up-to-date travel advice is available on GOV.UK and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Aware pages.

Who Is Exempt?

The following travellers will not need to register under EES:

• British citizens with Withdrawal Agreement residence documents in an EU country

• UK-EU dual citizens using their EU passport

Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted, but all travellers, including infants, will be photographed and recorded digitally.

EES FAQs

Will I need to do anything before travelling?

No — there’s no pre-registration. Everything happens at the border on arrival.

How long will it take?

Around 1–2 minutes per person, but queues may be longer during busy periods.

Does this affect flights and ferries too?

Yes. The checks apply at all Schengen entry points, including airports, seaports, and land crossings.

Do children need to register?

Yes. All travellers will be photographed, but children under 12 will not be fingerprinted.

Is Ireland part of the system?

No. Travel between the UK and Ireland remains unaffected.

Will this replace stamping passports?

Yes — once fully rolled out, EES will end the need for physical passport stamps.

A Digital Step Forward

The EU says the Entry Exit System will “modernise and secure” Europe’s borders while simplifying travel data collection for non-EU visitors.

The scheme mirrors the UK’s own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which provides digital travel clearance for eligible overseas visitors.

Travellers are being encouraged to check government travel pages before departure and allow extra time at the border, particularly during the early months of the rollout.