In exactly a month, some Britons will be required to scan their passport and have their fingerprints and photograph taken to enter European countries. 

The European Union is rolling out its new entry-exit scheme, known as EES, but it will be a while until it is fully operational. 

It’s being introduced to replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, helping countries to make sure visitors aren’t breaking the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen their border control.

Here’s what you need to know…

12 October 2025

EU countries will start introducing EES for UK and non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay.

This will require some visitors to register at the border by scanning their passport and completing “biometric checks” – these are having fingerprints and a photograph taken.  

Some people visiting the Schengen area, which includes 29 countries, will be required to complete the biometric checks, to start with. 

This is because countries have six months to phase in the new system to minimise any disruption. 

ABTA, the UK’s largest travel association, says at least one border point in each country should operate the new system by 12 October.  

You can see the full list of the countries introducing the system below… 

Once you’ve completed this registration process, you’ll only need to scan your passport and provide either fingerprints or a photograph to enter or exit any of the listed countries. 

Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted, but they will be photographed under the new rules.  

You don’t have to do anything before travelling, but you should be prepared for longer queues at the border. 

The UK government says the checks should only take one to two minutes for each person, but they may lead to longer waiting times at border control. 

11 December

By this point, 10% of border points in each country should be operating the new system. 

All travellers entering the country at these points should be using the EES.  

January 2026 

At this stage, half of border crossing points in each country should have the system up and running. 

But only a third of passengers will need to use it, the European Commission has said.  

10 April 2026

The way we travel now will come to an end, and all border points in participating countries will need to have the system running. 

Passports will not be stamped or checked manually from this date. 

Using the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel from the UK to travel? 

In most cases, the EES checks will happen when you arrive in the country you are visiting. 

But, if you are heading abroad using the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel at Folkestone or the Eurostar at St Pancras International in London, you will complete the checks before you leave the UK. 

The government has provided funding to support the change in infrastructure, but has warned that travellers will need to leave more time for their journey. 

A spokesperson said: “While we have done everything we can to ensure the required infrastructure is in place, anyone who is planning a trip to the European mainland once these checks are introduced will still need to allow more time for their journey as the new EU systems bed in.” 

What happens to your data? 

The European Commission says the data being collected when you use the EES is…

• The information listed in your travel document(s) (eg full name, date of birth, etc.)
• Date and place of each entry and exit 
• Facial image and fingerprints
• Whether you were refused entry

This data will be stored in the system and cannot be transferred to third parties – except in specific cases, which you can read about here. 

Your data will be used by countries for several reasons including, identifying travellers who aren’t allowed to enter, find those using fake identities and help prevent and investigate serious crimes. 

If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry.