The European Entry/Exit System – What It Is And What You Need To Do
Planning a European adventure soon? There’s a big change coming that UK passport holders need to prepare for. The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) officially launches on 12th October 2025, changing the way we cross European borders.
Think of it as Europe getting a digital upgrade. Your passport won’t be burdened with physical stamps, and there’ll be faster processing times. But like any digital change, it needs to be set up properly first. Have a read of the European Entry/Exit System Travel Aware page to find out the latest information from official sources. In the meantime, here’s an overview of what to expect.
What Exactly Is the EES?
The EES is a new system to digitise passport stamps for visitors coming into, and leaving the Schengen countries. These 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. The EES isn’t used for the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus.
Instead of border security checking and stamping your UK passport (and in avertedly testing your knowledge of “thank you” in your destination’s language), your movements will be digitally recorded instead.
While there are long-term efficiencies in doing this way – you’ll no longer have to queue to get passport stamps, for example – the ultimate aim is to make border control ‘smart’ and quickly spot those who outstay their visa or don’t have the right one.
How will it work?
From Friday 12th October, when you arrive at a European border, you’ll need to set yourself up on the EES by providing biometric data – namely, all 10 fingerprints and a photograph. This will happen in dedicated booths at airports and ports.
The fingerprints and photograph will be digitally stored alongside your travel information like passport details and dates of your entry and exit.
After that, when you next enter or exit the Schengen area, you’ll only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border when you enter or exit, so immigration checks should be much quicker.
The EES applies to short-stay visitors to the Schengen area. If you’re a British national living in the EU, you don’t have to register with the EES if you have a Withdrawal Agreement (WA) residence document or equivalent.
When will I need to provide my data?
The system will be implemented over a 6-month period, starting on 12th October 2025 and ending on 10th April 2026. It will be rolled out across borders gradually, so don’t be surprised if your European travel checks vary during those first few months. But you should factor it in to your travel plans – especially if you’re travelling over the October half-term – as registering your data will take some time.
If you’re entering the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel or Eurostar, this information will be taken before you board, so leave extra time in your schedule.
If you’re flying to a Schengen country or leaving via any other port, you’ll register once you arrive at your destination – so don’t rely on being able to leave the airport or port straight away.
Planning a cruise? If it starts and finishes in the UK (or any other non-Schengen country), you won’t need to worry about EES – even for day trips within the Schengen area that are part of the itinerary. You’ll only need to do it if you disembark within the Schengen area and travel onwards. In this case, you’ll need to complete EES checks when leaving the ship.
Your biometric data will last three years, then you’ll have to give your fingerprints again, and have another photograph taken.
What about the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)?
The EES is separate from the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), the visa waiver scheme that will be similar to the ESTA in the States. When that comes into effect, we’ll need to apply to enter Schengen area countries, and pay a €7 fee. It looks like it will be implemented in late 2026, with a transitional grace period of at least six months, meaning it won’t be mandatory until 2027. So for now, it’s all about preparing for the EES!
Wherever you plan on heading this year taking out Switched On Travel Insurance will give you the peace of mind that you’re protected for the unexpected. Find out more about our travel cover by visiting our travel insurance pages.