New UK Government campaign prepares travellers for EU border changes

The UK government has launched a new campaign to raise awareness among British travellers of upcoming changes to EU border checks, ahead of the introduction of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES).

From 12 October 2025, UK nationals travelling to Schengen area countries for short stays will need to register their details on arrival at the border. The new automated system will require travellers to scan their passport, provide fingerprints, and have a photograph taken.

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

The government said messages about the new rules will be shared across social media, by transport operators and on travel websites, while up-to-date information will be available on GOV.UK and the FCDO’s Travel Aware pages.

Registration and validity

Registration will be required only on the first visit to a participating country after EES is introduced. Once completed, it will remain valid for three years or until the traveller’s passport expires.

Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted, but all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.

On subsequent journeys, travellers will need only to scan their passport and provide either their fingerprints or a photograph.

Gradual rollout

European countries will phase in the new system over six months, meaning border requirements may vary until April 2026.

For those travelling via the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, EES checks will take place in the UK before departure. The government has already allocated £10.5 million to these juxtaposed ports to help prepare for the new infrastructure.

A government spokesperson said:

“While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are in constant and close dialogue with our European partners to try and minimise the impact on the British public.

“While we have done everything we can to ensure the required infrastructure is in place, anyone who is planning a trip to the European mainland once these checks are introduced will still need to allow more time for their journey as the new EU systems bed in.”

What travellers need to know

The EU is introducing EES to replace passport stamping for non-EU citizens. The system will help enforce the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen border security.

Key points for British travellers:

• No action is required before travel – registration is completed at the border.

• Registration is free of charge.

• The process should take 1–2 minutes per person, but queues may be longer than usual.

• Travellers with Withdrawal Agreement residence documents or UK-EU dual citizens using an EU passport will be exempt.

Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the Port of Dover have put measures in place to minimise disruption, but the government has advised travellers to allow extra time for their journeys.

The UK has also introduced its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for visitors entering the UK without a visa, bringing British border systems closer in line with international standards.