British holidaymakers heading to Europe from Sunday, October 12, 2025, are facing a new era at the border as the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into force. The change, which will affect all non-EU citizens—including UK passport holders—ushers in a digital system that replaces the traditional passport stamping with biometric registration. The goal? To tighten border security, monitor visitor stays, and modernize travel across 29 Schengen area countries.
For many, the first encounter with EES may come as a surprise. Upon arrival in participating countries—ranging from France and Spain to Iceland and Norway—travellers will be required to scan their passport and submit biometric data: a photograph and, for those aged 12 and over, fingerprints. Children under 12 are spared the fingerprinting but will still have their photo taken and a digital record created. According to Manchester Evening News, “any tourist who refuses to supply biometric data, such as their photograph or their fingerprints, will be refused entry to the country they are visiting.”
The new system is being phased in over six months, with full implementation expected by April 10, 2026. During this rollout, different ports and airports may have varying requirements, so travellers are advised to stay alert for updates. The EES will be in effect at border crossings into Schengen countries, including 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. Notably, Ireland and Cyprus are not participating, so trips to those destinations remain unchanged for now.
For those departing the UK via the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone, or Eurostar at St Pancras International, EES registration will actually take place before leaving the country. The UK government has allocated £10.5 million to upgrade border infrastructure at these so-called juxtaposed ports, aiming to keep the process as smooth as possible. Keir Mather, Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, explained to GOV.UK: “We’ve backed our ports and operators with £10.5 million to help them get ready for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, ensuring they have the infrastructure and systems in place to manage the changes. Our priority is to minimise disruption for travellers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings.”
Despite these preparations, officials and travel experts are warning of significant delays, especially in the early weeks. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, told ITV News: “For major airports in southern Europe, we recommend that travellers now allocate four hours for navigating the new system in these initial stages.” She added, “Delays should be anticipated at border controls when multiple flights arrive at similar times, and we foresee potentially overwhelming volumes of travellers during the initial roll-out.”
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, echoed the concerns, advising: “Longer waits are expected at border control on arrival so you should allow more time when you land by booking later transfers or other onward travel.” The UK Home Office has attempted to reassure the public, stating the checks “should only take one to two minutes” per passenger, but admitted they may lead to “longer waits at busy times.”
Registration under EES is valid for a rolling three-year period or until the passport expires. Once registered, subsequent trips to the Schengen area should be faster, as travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either fingerprints or a photograph at the border. The new system will also create a digital record of each entry and exit, as well as refusals, helping authorities monitor compliance with the EU’s 90-day visa-free travel rule within any 180-day period.
The EES is not just about streamlining travel. According to Manchester Evening News, the system “aims to tighten border security and monitor how long UK travellers and other third-country nationals spend in the EU.” It is also designed to help identify suspected criminals, combat identity fraud, reduce illegal immigration, and prevent visitors from overstaying. Mark Tanzer, chief executive of travel trade organisation Abta, told ITV News: “In the longer term, EES should make processes quicker and simpler for travel to Europe. Looking at the short term, given the scale of the operation, there may be some delays, particularly at peak travel times. But countries will be stepping up their processes gradually and have the option to stand down the system to avoid significant and lengthy waiting times.”
Importantly, not every British traveller is subject to these new rules. Those holding Withdrawal Agreement residence documents or UK-EU dual citizens travelling on their EU passport are exempt from EES requirements. For everyone else, the process is free and no action is needed before travel—registration is handled at the border on arrival. However, experts stress that, at least for now, patience will be a virtue.
To prepare the public, the UK government has launched an awareness campaign, with messages shared across government social media, transport operators, and travel websites. Up-to-date information is available on GOV.UK and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Travel Aware pages. The government is also working closely with the travel industry, ports, and transport operators to help raise awareness and understanding of the changes. Alex Norris, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, said on GOV.UK: “We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible. The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration.”
For now, British holidaymakers are advised to allow extra time for border checks, especially if travelling through major airports or at peak periods. While the new system may seem daunting, industry leaders are optimistic that, once fully operational, EES will ultimately make travel to Europe simpler and more secure. As Mark Tanzer put it, “We ask that countries remain vigilant and use this contingency measure where needed.”
As the EES rolls out, the travel experience for millions of Britons will undoubtedly change. The hope is that, after the initial teething problems, the system will deliver on its promise of efficiency, security, and smoother journeys for all. For now, a little patience and preparation will go a long way at the border.
