British holidaymakers are being updated on changes to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), set to roll out in October 2025. This new system will significantly alter the entry process for Britons visiting popular holiday destinations across Europe.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued new guidance on the upcoming digital border system, which will affect travelers heading to countries within the Schengen area, including Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Greece, and more.
Under the new system, British nationals traveling with UK passports will be required to register biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photograph, upon arrival in any Schengen area country. This marks a shift from the current practice of manually stamping passports at borders.
The FCDO confirmed that while the EES is set to launch in October 2025, it is not yet in operation. Travelers will be informed about the specific start date ahead of its rollout.
What does this mean for travelers? Upon the system’s introduction, Britons will need to create a digital record of their visit when they first enter the Schengen area. This will involve submitting fingerprints and having their photo taken at designated booths at airports or ports.
No advance registration is required before travel. However, travelers should expect longer queues at arrival points, including possible delays at UK departure points such as Dover, Eurotunnel, and St Pancras, as EES registration is completed before passengers can leave the UK.
This change is expected to streamline border processes in the long run, though initial travel might take a little longer as the system is implemented.
