From 12 October 2025, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) came into force. This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British citizens travelling to the Schengen area*.
The EES is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries.
Individuals travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport will be required to register biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, upon arrival. No action is required before arriving 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.
EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete. It may be necessary to create a digital record on the individual’s first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. Fingerprint scans and photos will be taken at dedicated booths.
Members may wish to support their customers with this change if they are aware that the customer is travelling to one of the countries in question.
More details are available via gov.uk
* 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.
The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not within the Schengen area, and therefore EES is not applicable when travelling to either of these countries.
