The new EU border checks for travellers outside the bloc are being rolled out soon.
If you travel to EU countries often, the chances are you have heard rumblings about plans for the entry and exit system (EES) coming to airports, ferry ports and other border crossings.
Designed to track border crossings digitally using fingerprints and facial recognition, the stricter system has been in the making for years – and delayed several times.
Now it has been confirmed that the EES will roll out in phases rather than at all border crossing sites at once.
The soft launch start date has been confirmed as Sunday, October 12.
What is the entry and exit EES system?
The entry and exit system is a digital system that will replace passport stamping at the border control when arriving or leaving the destination.
Those with non-EU country passports, like the UK, are required to use the system once it launches.
How does it work?
Most travellers from outside the EU, known as third-country nationals, have to register their passport details and biometric data when crossing into an EU country for the first time.
Biometric data includes fingerprints and facial pictures. Borders are likely to be kitted with self-service kiosks where passengers can input this information.
This data and the entry and exit details will be stored for subsequent visits.
Future visits will only require a verification of the biometric data, which can speed up the process.
On subsequent visits, border officials will also ask extra questions and proof like accommodation, enough money for the trip, insurance and a return ticket.
Children are not exempt from the checks, although children under 12 do not need to give fingerprints, but they will also need to have their face scanned.
Checks at the Port of Dover, London St Pancras and Folkestone
Usually, the new checks will be carried out at the destination airport or port upon arrival and when departing.
Port of Dover, St Pancras International and Folkestone are exceptions, and passengers heading to the EU will go through the checks there as these are dual British and French border locations.
It means you don’t then need to go through the checks again when stepping off the train or ferry on the European mainland.
The EES border system is separate from the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will introduced towards the end of 2026.
ETIAS, which is not live yet, means people who are not citizens of an EU or Schengen country will need to apply for it when travelling to the European Union.
When does the EES start?
The new border checks will be rolled out gradually from October 12.
The launch date is just days before the UK school half-term, when tens of thousands of families are set to travel abroad.
European countries will introduce the system at their external border progressively, leading up to the full launch by April 10, 2026.
What countries will use the new EU entry and exit system?
The new system will eventually be in use in the 25 EU countries, plus Schengen members Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Meanwhile, manual passport stamping will still be used in Ireland and Cyprus
It has not been announced yet which countries and which of their border entry points will be the first to have the new system.
Who is exempt from the EU entry and exit system?
- EU passport holders, including Irish and Cyprus
- British passport holder with EU residency permit or long-stay visa
- Nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and passport holders of the Vatican City State/the Holy See
Why was the EES launch delayed?
The most recent delay was in October last year, when EU leaders hit pause on the massive border upgrade after concerns that the launch of the untested system could wreak havoc on travel and logistics.
What countries already use biometric border controls?
Many countries across the world have already implemented digital border control checks involving biometric data like the EES.
These include China, Saudi Arabia, United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
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