Table Of Contents
- What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
- Why has the EU introduced EES
- What if you are travelling to the Schengen area
- How will EES affect your travel to the Schengen area
- What if you are travelling by ship cruises
- Summary
The EU’s (European Union’s) EES (Entry/Exit System) started on 12 October 2025. If you are a British citizen travelling to the countries in the Schengen area, you need to follow this new EU Entry/Exit digital border system.
Countries in the Schengen area include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Some UK nationals are exempt from EES. You can find the full list of exemptions on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.
What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
Under the new EES system, if you are a British citizen travelling to a country in the Schengen area (listed above) for a short stay using a UK passport, you may be required to register your biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) upon arrival. You are not required to take any action before arriving at the border. There is no cost for EES registration.
The EU’s EES registration is replacing the current system of manually stamping your passport when you arrive in the EU.
EES process completion may take extra time for each passenger. So, you should be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.
Why has the EU introduced EES?
The EU has introduced EES, which has been designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, and to stop/reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area. It automates border control checks to help the EU stop visitors from overstaying.
EES is not a standalone work but a part of the EU’s wider work, which is aimed at strengthening its border security. It is expected that from Autumn 2026, the EU may start operations of the new ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). Travellers are not required to take any action at this point. The specific date for the start of ETIAS will be announced before its launch.
You should only apply for the ETIAS on the official EU website when you are able to.
When the EU introduces this, you will be required to apply for authorisation to enter countries in the Schengen area if you are using a UK passport and do not already have a visa or residence permit. As part of the authorisation process, you will also need to give personal information and your trip details, and pay a fee of 20 euros.
What if you are travelling to the Schengen area?
When you have your first visit to the Schengen area, you may be asked to create a digital record upon arrival at the airport or port. You may be asked to submit your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken at dedicated booths. Importantly, you are not required to give any information before travelling to a country in the Schengen area. You should be prepared to wait during busy times for the process to complete.
If you travel from the UK to the Schengen Area through certain UK departure points, including the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle at Folkestone, or Eurostar, the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) checks will take place while you are still in the UK, before you physically cross the border.
You may also be asked to give either your fingerprint or photo when exiting the Schengen area.
If you frequently travel to the Schengen area for work and/or leisure, you must ensure that your total stay in the Schengen area is 90 days or fewer within any 180 days. If you exceed the immigration limit in any individual Member State you plan to travel to, or through, each EU country may apply its own penalties or enforcement actions against you. For example, fines, entry bans, deportation or removal, future visa refusals, or stricter questioning at borders.
Your digital EES record (your electronic travel record created under the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is valid for 3 years.
How will EES affect your travel to the Schengen area?
The UK government has been working closely with the European Commission, individual EU countries (called “Member States”), local authorities, port authorities, and the travel industry to prepare ports for EES. The government is supporting ports and carriers to ensure EES registration (biometric and digital border checks) is simple for people travelling to the Schengen area.
UK and non-EU people travelling to the Schengen area using Eurostar (a high-speed international train service that connects London with several European cities through the Channel Tunnel beneath the English Channel) from London St Pancras International railway station may be asked to use self-service pre-registration kiosks before going through the ticket gates. These kiosks are located in three areas of the station.
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (a vehicle shuttle train service that carries cars, vans, motorcycles, coaches, and other vehicles between the UK and France through the Channel Tunnel) at Folkestone has developed a purpose-built pre-registration area for non-EU and UK passengers to use self-service kiosks for EES checks. You should follow the advice provided when booking.
The Port of Dover, which is one of the UK’s busiest international ferry ports, has developed a purpose-built processing area for EES checks at its new Western Docks. You should follow the advice from your travel operator and the Port of Dover when booking.
UK and non-EU travellers coming to the Schengen area either by air or by ferry services departing from ports other than the Port of Dover will be registered at the border when they arrive in their destination country.
In all locations, you should follow directions from your travel operator, the airport, or port, and make border staff aware if you anticipate any issues completing biometric checks.
What if you are travelling by ship cruises?
Sailings whose journey starts and finishes outside of the Schengen area (for example, at a UK port) will usually be exempt from EES checks for any day trips into the Schengen area that are part of their itinerary. You may, under some circumstances, be required to complete EES checks. However, this is at the discretion of the port authorities.
If you disembark a cruise within the Schengen area, and travel on to a further destination, including an alternative port, by other means, you may need to complete EES checks when leaving the ship. If you are boarding a cruise within the Schengen area, you may need to complete EES checks at your initial entry point to the Schengen area.
Summary
The EU has created the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) – a new digital border control system created for non-EU travellers entering and leaving the Schengen Area.
It replaces the old system of manually placing ink stamps in your passport.
Under EES, border authorities electronically record your passport details, date and place of entry and exit, fingerprints, and facial photograph.
The system mainly applies to non-EU/EEA travellers and visitors entering the Schengen Area for short stays, including many travellers from the UK.