EU Entry/Exit System (EES) – all you need to know

The new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being introduced, which means there are important changes for people travelling from the UK to Europe.  

If you are planning to travel from the UK to a country within the European Union (EU) Schengen area, it's important to be aware of the new rules. 

Non-EU travellers - including most UK citizens – need to register their biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo when entering the EU.

You may also be asked questions about your visit to the EU, as well as be required to provide another biometric check on your departure.

The EU has long been planning to introduce a new and updated system for border checks, in order to increase border security. EES will see non-EU nationals provide fingerprints and photographs to enter the member states.

EU officials also announced that there would be two separate, but interconnected travel schemes for Brits (and other non-EU citizens) – one being EES, and the other the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

This driving advice guide looks at what the EES will mean for UK travellers, and how the system will work.

Entry/Exit System (EES) October 2025 update

The European Union launched the the Entry/Exit System (EES) on 12 October 2025.

British nationals and other non-EU travellers are required to provide biometric information, such as fingerprints and a facial photograph, when entering or leaving countries in the Schengen area.

Why is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) being introduced in 2025?

The EES aims to strengthen border security across the EU and its neighbouring regions.

By automating border checks, it helps Schengen member states monitor entries and exits more efficiently and reduce instances of illegal migration.

One of its key goals is to prevent non-EU visitors from overstaying their permitted time.

What does EU Entry/Exit System (EES) mean for British travellers and drivers?

Following the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit (EES) system, most British citizens travelling to the Schengen zone will need to:

• Submit biometric data (fingerprints and a photo) at border checkpoints
• Possibly answer questions about their visit upon arrival
• Undergo an additional biometric check when departing

As the system rolls out, travellers may experience some variation in procedures. Importantly, no prior registration is needed before travel, and there is no fee for EES processing.

Travellers using the 'juxtaposed ports' (such as the channel tunnel or cross channel ferries) will have to complete their EES registration before boarding and should check with their travel operator to understand when to arrive at the port and any potential impacts to their journey.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “The new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is rolling out from 12th October, meaning drivers will need to provide fingerprints and have their photos taken when they enter or exit Schengen border crossing points.

"With a phased roll-out taking place until April 2026, we’re advising motorists to check the official requirements at the UK departure point they’re using before they set off, as these will differ from place to place.

"Drivers should be prepared for checks to take slightly longer and for entry points to be busier during the roll-out phase, especially during peak seasons like half term or Christmas. The digital EES record is valid for three years, so if your pass is still valid only a fingerprint or photo will be required at border checks."

Drivers heading to any of these countries using EES should follow arrival signs at ports and border crossings as usual, but expect delays.

What comes next for the EU entry/Exit system (EES) in 2026?

By late 2026, once EES is fully operational, the EU plans to introduce ETIAS - a travel authorisation system similar to the UK’s ETA.

will add another layer of pre-travel screening for non-EU visitors.

What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The EU Entry/Exit System – also known as EES – is a border management system for non-EU citizens travelling to member states within the Schengen zone. The zone comprises most EU countries plus Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland but excludes the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus.

The European Union has, for a long time, pushed for an updated and technologically advanced border security and immigration process for travellers to the region.

With the new EES system, the EU will collect, process, store, and share data on entry, exit, and refusal of entry of non-EU citizens visiting the Schengen area since 12 October 2025.

Replacing the current process which sees passports stamped, the system will use a new form of data collection – biometric information.

Everyone travelling will need to provide a fingerprint and/or have their face photographed, alongside providing the normal personal information present on a passport (name, nationality etc).

EES will also help EU nations track a visitor’s stay in the region, so that non-EU citizens can be tracked for staying too long or even for unauthorised visits. Visitors from the UK are restricted to 90 days’ stay in any 180 days within the Schengen area.

According to the EU, by centralising the data process and tracking systems, it will allow police and immigration offices to highlight security risks and act accordingly in a more efficient manner.

Following the original announcement of the EES, the European Commission issued a statement: “Over the past years we have been working to strengthen and protect our external borders to safeguard and increase the security of the Schengen area.

“It is an important step towards achieving more effective border management and better oversight of who is crossing the EU's external borders – and the Commission warmly welcomes this decision.

“The Entry/Exit System is a priority initiative which will modernise the management of the EU external border and contribute to the fight against terrorism and serious crime.

“It will replace the stamping of passports and will allow for an increased automation of border controls, improved detection of document and identity fraud as well as better monitoring of unauthorised short stays of non-EU nationals.”

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How does the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) work?

In time, the EU Entry/Exit System will replace many of the current customs processes currently in place, by using a combination of data collection, processing, and sharing mechanisms across the Schengen area.

The EES system works when non-EU citizens enter the Schengen area. Initially, they will need to provide biometric information - a fingerprint and have their photo taken - along with their passport. The date they are entering will also be recorded.

During subsequent border crossings, they may be required to provide a further fingerprint and/or have their face scanned, along with their passport as usual.

Border officials will use the system to perform automated checks to verify the authenticity of travel documents and biometric data.

EES then tracks the visitor throughout the duration of their stay. This is so they can detect cases of overstaying or unauthorised visits to other countries.

It is important to remember that travellers do not need to provide information in advance of travel – this will all be done at the border point.

Each subsequent entry/exit the individual makes to/from the Schengen area within three years of their digital record being created will only require one biometric record (e.g. fingerprints).

If the traveller has not entered/exited the Schengen area for three years or is travelling on a new passport they must complete the record process in full, having a new photo taken and fingerprints scanned again

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What countries are included in EES?

The countries in the Schengen area are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, 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.

EES is not applicable for Brits who are travelling to the Republic of Ireland or Cyprus.

British travellers who are not residents in the Schengen area are only permitted to stay for a maximum of 90 days in a rolling 180-day period.

The launch of EES does not change this rule, but EES means it will be easier to enforce due to the new digital border system.

The 180 days are calculated as a rolling period which you can count backwards from your entry or exit date to the Schengen area.

Regular travellers should carefully track the duration of their stay, but may be able to ask border guards at external borders to check the duration of how many days they have stayed.