With less than a month to go, chances are that UK travellers are starting to worry about the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). A new biometric digital system at border control, EES is due to be rolled out from the 12th October 2025.
If you’re travelling after the 12th October 2025, you might be feeling totally confused about what Europe’s new EES system is – and how it may impact your travels through the affected countries.
To help calm your nerves about the new system – and to give you the full lowdown – we’ve put together 12 key facts about the EU Entry/Exist System (EES) that you need to know.
The main take away? Airports, ports and Eurostar could experience longer delays as it’s rolled out (over the next 6 months), but the system itself is nothing to worry about. In fact, it should make travel through Schengen areas quicker in the longer term – hurrah.
1. What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
Let’s start with the basics: what is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES?)
The EES is a new EU system launching on the 12th October 2025, designed to digitally track non-EU visitors entering and exiting the Schengen Area.
The new EES system will eventually replace passport stamps with biometric registration, by taking the fingerprints and a facial image of travellers. It will also automate travel records for short-stay travellers, meaning it should make the process of travelling through an airport (as a British Citizen to a Schengen area) quicker, eventually.
Countries Included in the Schengen Area
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2. How Does the EES System Work?
On arrival at border control:
- Your passport will be scanned as usual
- You must provide a facial image and fingerprint
- The system will record your passport number, country of origin, entry date, time and location
- It will also record type of travel (i.e. leisure or work)
- Biometrics will also be taken that are linked to your travel documents.
During your stay in a Schengen area:
The system will track how long you stay in the EU using the ’90 days in any 180-day period’ rule. In short: you can visit multiple Schengen countries without needing extra stamps or checks – as your stay time is counted cumulatively.
Leaving the Schengen area/EU:
At exit (e.g. when flying home or taking a ferry back to the UK):
- Your passport will be scanned again.
- The system will automatically log your exit date and location
- It will cross-reference your entry to calculate how long you stayed. Warning: if you’ve overstayed the 90-day limit, the system will automatically alert border officials, resulting in possible penalties.
Initial trips after this will be much quicker, particularly for frequent travellers.
3. Will Border Queues be Longer with EES?
The EES system is being rolled out over a 6 month period and during this time, it’s likely that queues will be longer at Border Control.
This is probably the main thing you’ll need to consider if you’re travelling after 12th October 2025, as it’s likely you’ll need to factor in more time in moving through the airport.
Obviously, over time, the process should – in theory – become quicker and should actually speed up, rather than slow down, the process of travelling through a Schengen area.
4. Do I Have to Pay for EES?
No. There is not fee to use the new EES system. Unfortunately, however, from mid-2026 travellers will need to pay a fee for the ETIAS.
This is the EU’s separate travel authorisation system, similar to an ESTA that you have to obtain before travel to the US. It’s said that it’ll cost around £17 to enter a Schengen area in Europe from mid-2026 (if you’re travelling on a British passport, you’ll need to pay).
Under 18s and over 70s will be exempt from paying.
5. Does EES Apply to Travel via Ferry/Eurostar/Ports?
Yes, the EES system will not only apply at airports but to all pots, ferry terminals or Eurostar terminals. The same therefore applies in terms of allowing plenty of time to pass through these systems, with longer delays expected at ports.
6. What will travellers need to do for EES?
Although the term sounds complicated, the EES system is very straightforward. On your first visit to Europe after the 12th October, all you’ll need on arrival in a Schengen area is your fingers and face, where your fingerprints will be taken and an image of your face captured.
On later trips, only one biometric check (photo or fingerprint) will usually needed.
7. When does EES launch?
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) officially launches on 12 October 2025. There is, however, a six month rollout until April 2026, meaning it won’t be an instant requirement at every Border Control in the Schengen area from October.
8. Who does EES apply to and who’s exempt?
EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) applies to non-EU nationals who are visiting a Schengen area for a short stay (less than 90 days). This includes British citizens, as well as US, Canada and Australian nationals, for example.
The new EES system does not apply to EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens or those who have residency in an EU country.
9. Does EES apply to children?
The new EES system does apply to all children but there are some differences.
For children under the age of 12, only a facial image is required. For children 12+ a fingerprint and facial image will be required. It’s helpful, therefore, to brief children over the age of 12 before passing through Border Control, so they know what to expect when giving their finger prints.
| Age Group | EES Applies? | Biometric Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 years | Yes | Facial photo only (no fingerprints) |
| 12 years and over | Yes | Facial photo + fingerprints required |
10. Do UK travellers need to register before travelling?
No, there’s nothing you’ll need to do ahead of your travels to register for EES. This will be done as you travel through the Schengen area, where your biometric data will be collected.
It will be helpful, however, to have details of your stay ready, i.e. address of accommodation at destination and duration of stay to make the process quicker.
11. Will EES replace passport stamps?
Yes, EES will slowly phase out the mighty passport stamp. A sad day for many, like myself, who love nothing more than collecting a passport stamp, the traditional ink and paper will be replaced by the new digital system.
12. What changes does EES bring (and what stays the same)?
If you’re still a little confused about what the new EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) will mean in terms of changes to your travel to Europe, here’s a quick round-up:
| What Changes | What Stays the Same |
|---|---|
| No more manual passport stamps (once fully implemented) for non‑EU short‑stay travellers. | The 90‑days in any 180‑days stay limit remains. |
| More biometric checks (photo, fingerprints) and automated recording of entries & exits. | No cost to travellers to use the EES. |
| Self‑service kiosks and automated infrastructure at many border points. | Still need valid passport and may need to show proof of travel purpose. |