f you’re planning a trip to Europe after 12 October 2025, there’s a new travel requirement you need to know about. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is launching – and it will affect most UK travellers heading to the Schengen Area. For the latest official information, visit the UK Government’s travel guidance page.
The good news? It’s designed to make travel faster, safer, and more efficient in the long run. Whether you’re heading to Spain, France, Italy or Greece, here’s what the EES is, how it works, and how to prepare for smooth border crossings – without losing your holiday buzz.
What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is a new border control system being introduced across the Schengen Area, which includes popular holiday destinations like France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and many more.
Instead of getting a manual stamp in your passport when you enter or leave the EU, the EES will digitally record your movements. Each time you cross a Schengen border, the system will log:
- The date and time of your entry or exit
- The border crossing point
- Your passport details
- Your biometric data, including a facial photo and fingerprints
Think of it as a digital upgrade to the old passport stamping method – faster, more secure, and less prone to error.
The EES will be rolled out at airports, ferry ports, train stations, and land borders throughout the Schengen Zone.
Why is the EES being introduced?
Let’s be honest – manual passport stamps are a bit old-school. They’re easy to miss, hard to read, and don’t give an accurate picture of how long someone’s been in the EU.
For UK travellers, this is especially important. Since Brexit, we’re allowed to visit Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. If you overstay, even unintentionally, you could face fines or future travel restrictions.
The EES will automatically track your time in the EU, making it easier to stay within the rules – no mental maths, no faded stamps, just clear digital records.
What happens at the border?
For most UK travellers, the new border process will feel a little different, but not overwhelming. Instead of just handing over your passport for a quick stamp, you’ll go through a short series of checks that use technology to make things more accurate and secure.
Here’s a step-by-step look at what to expect when you arrive at an EES-enabled border:
1. Present your passport
Just as you do now, your first step will be showing your passport at the kiosk or to a border officer. Instead of getting a stamp, the system will read the details digitally and check them against the EES database.
2. Biometric data collection
This is the biggest change. You’ll be asked to:
- Place your fingers on a scanner to capture your fingerprints. This is similar to using your phone’s fingerprint unlock, quick and painless.
- Look into a camera for a photo. This works like having a passport photo taken, and it helps confirm you are the rightful holder of your passport.
- The system will securely store these biometric details, so you won’t need to repeat the full process every time you travel.
3. Answer a few quick questions
A border officer or digital kiosk may ask you to confirm some basic details about your trip, such as:
- The purpose of your visit (holiday, business, family trip)
- Where you’ll be staying (hotel, Airbnb, with friends/family)
- Proof of return or onward travel
- Confirmation you have travel insurance (some travellers may be asked this as part of standard checks)
Don’t worry, these questions are routine and only take a few seconds.
4. Receive confirmation and move on
Once the system has confirmed your details, your entry is digitally recorded. You won’t get a physical passport stamp anymore, as the entire record is stored in the EES. After that, you’ll be cleared to continue your journey.
How long will it take?
Your first trip through the EES will take a little longer than usual, as your biometric data needs to be collected and stored. After that, future trips should be quicker, because the system will already recognise you.
During the early months after launch, queues may be longer while both travellers and staff adjust. To make your journey smoother:
- Arrive earlier than usual, especially at Eurostar, ferry ports, and busy airports.
- Keep your documents handy so you’re ready when it’s your turn.
- Stay patient, as everyone will be going through the same process.
Seniors, accessibility and health conditions
If you’re not confident with self-service kiosks, don’t worry. There will still be manned border booths where staff can guide you through the process.
And if you’re travelling with a disability or medical condition, you can usually request assistance in advance through your airline, train, or ferry provider. This support will extend to the EES, too.
Consider planning for plenty of extra time when travelling, especially during the first months of the EES rollout. Queues may move more slowly as people get used to the system, so giving yourself a buffer will help keep the experience less stressful.
Who is exempt from the EES?
Not everyone will need to use the system. You won’t go through the EES if you are:
- An EU citizen, even if you live outside the EU
- A UK national with EU residency or a long-term visa
- A citizen of a Schengen-associated country such as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland
If you’re a dual citizen with both a UK and EU passport, you can avoid the EES by travelling on your EU passport. If you travel with your UK passport, however, you’ll need to go through the system.
Why this matters for UK travellers
The introduction of the EES is a big change for UK holidaymakers. Since Brexit, trips to the EU come under the 90/180 rule, meaning you can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen Area within a 180-day period.
The EES makes it much easier to track this automatically, so there’s less risk of accidentally overstaying. That means fewer worries for you, and fewer manual checks for border officers.
EES is a change, but it doesn’t need to complicate your trip
The EU Entry/Exit System might feel like a big change, but it’s really just a smarter way for the EU to keep track of who’s coming and going. For UK travellers, it means no more worrying about faded passport stamps or losing count of your days under the 90/180 rule.
Yes, your first trip through the system may take a little extra time. But with your passport ready, some patience at border control, and the right travel insurance in place, your holiday will carry on just as planned.
So whether you’re flying to Spain, taking the train to France, or heading off on a family adventure to Italy, you can approach your trip stress-free.