EU Entry/Exit System

TheFrom EU12 plansOctober to2025, introduce the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit systemSystem (EES).(EES) will begin. This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British nationalscitizens travelling to the Schengen area.

If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints orand a photo, when you arrive. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.

After it is fully implemented, EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU.  ​

If you are travelling to the Schengen area

When EES is introduced, you willmay need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. You will beneed required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths. booths.

You will not need to provide any information before travellingbefore travelling to a Schengen area country.  

Ifcountry. If you are flying to a country in the Schengen area,area, you youwill maycomplete experienceEES longerchecks queue times when you arrive at your destination.  destination. The checks may take a few minutes, so be prepared to wait during busy times.

AtIf someyou portsenter andthe internationalSchengen stationsarea (Dover,through Eurotunnelthe andPort Stof Pancras),Dover, thereEurotunnel mayat beFolkestone increasedor waitSt timesPancras whileInternational, EES registrationchecks iswill be completed at the border, before passengersyou leave the UK. ​IfUK. youYou aremay travellingalso throughneed oneto ofprovide theseeither stations,your fingerprint or photo when you shouldleave checkthe withSchengen yourarea.

If travelyou operatorfrequently travel to findthe outSchengen whetherarea EESfor willwork affectand/or leisure purposes, you must ensure that your journey.total stay in the Schengen area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. You must be aware of the penalty and enforcement approach for exceeding the immigration limit in any individual Member State you plan to travel to, or through.

Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.

Why the EU is introducing EES

EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area.  It will automate border control checks to help the EU stop visitors overstaying.​

EES is part of wider work the EU is doing to strengthen their border security. In the last 2026, quarter of 2026, the EU is expected to start operations of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).(ETIAS). No action is required from travellers at this point. The European Union will informannounce about the  the specific date for the start of ETIAS before its launch.  ​ launch.  ​

When ETIAS is introduced, you will need to apply for authorisation to enter Schengen area countries if using a UK passport. You will need to provide personal information and details about your trip, and pay a 720 Euro fee, as part of the authorisation process.  process. 

The EU has already set out more information on ETIAS,ETIAS, including what information will be required from each nationality, on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.

How EES will affect travelling to the Schengen area

The UK government has been working closely with the European Commission, memberMember states,States, local authorities and the travel industry to prepare ports for EES.EES. The government is supporting ports and carriers to ensure EES registration is simple for people travelling to the Schengen area.

UK government support includes providing Eurostar, Eurotunnel and Port of Dover with £3.5 million each, to spend on registration kiosks and infrastructure. infrastructure.

UK and non-EU travellers using Eurostar expectsfrom EESLondon registrationSt Pancras International will need to use self-service pre-registration kiosks, which will be quicklocated in three areas of the station, before going through the ticket gates.

UK and easy.non-EU ​Ittravellers using Eurotunnel at Folkestone will havebe 50directed kiosksto acrossa 3purpose-built locationspre-registration atarea stationsto foruse peopleself-service pre-registration kiosks, before continuing to carryembark outon thetheir checks.journey.

EurotunnelUK and non-EU travellers using ferry services from the Port of Dover will havebe overregistered 100with either kiosks andat estimatethe EESpurpose-built checksWestern willDocks addprocessing justarea overor 5a minutescombination of agents and tablets, depending on their vehicle, before being directed to journeythe times.​ ferry terminal.

UK and non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area by air or by ferry services departing from ports other than Port of Dover will havebe 24registered kiosksat forthe coachborder passengerson arrival in their destination country.

In all locations, travellers should follow directions from their travel operator, and port, or airport and make border staff aware if they anticipate any issues completing biometric checks.

Travelling by ship cruises

Sailings that start and finish their journey outside of the Schengen area (for example, at a UK port) will registergenerally passengersbe inexempt carsfrom usingEES agentschecks, including for any day trips into the Schengen area that are part of their itinerary.

Travellers who disembark a cruise within the Schengen area, and tabletstravel on to makea further destination, including an alternative port, by other means, will need to complete EES checks when leaving the processship. asAny straightforwardtravellers asboarding possible. a cruise within the Schengen area will need to complete EES checks at their initial entry point port of entry  to the Schengen area.

Find out more information on the EESEU’s Entry/Exit System initiative on the EU’s official  Travel Europe website.