The EU’s new border rolls out today — here’s what you need to know 

British passport holders and non-European Union nationals are about to become subject to the European Union’s new Entry-Exit System.

The system, often known as the EES, will roll out gradually from today, connecting every crossing point in the Schengen Area.

Every EU country in the Schengen area will be connected, other than Ireland and Cyprus, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.

Travellers will be required to hand over biometric data such as their fingerprints and a photo scanned with facial recognition technology.

The system aims to crack down on crime and enforce the limit on EU stays for British and third-country citizens, which is 90 days within any 180 days.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the entry and exit EES system?

The entry and exit system is a digital system that will replace passport stamping at border control across the European Union.

People with passports from non-EU countries, including the UK, are required to use the system once it launches.

How does the EES system work in the EU?

Most travellers from outside the EU, known as third-country nationals, will be required 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, as well as 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.

Border officials will then 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; however they will also need to have their face scanned.

Will EES checks happen in the UK?

Usually, the checks will be carried out at the destination airport or port on arrival.

The exceptions are:

• Port of Dover
• St Pancras International
• Folkestone

Travellers 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 be 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 bloc.

It’s not a visa and will not guarantee entry – it’s permission to enter 30 European countries for three years or until the traveller’s passport expires.

When does the EES start?

The new border checks will be rolled out gradually from today.

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.

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What countries will use the new EU entry and exit system?

Including Spain, the new system will eventually be in use in the 25 EU countries, plus Schengen members Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Continue to the end of this article to see the full list.

Meanwhile, manual passport stamping will still be used in Ireland and Cyprus.

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 a 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?

In October last year, EU leaders hit pause 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 have already implemented digital border control checks involving biometric data like the EES.

These include China, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

A version of this article was first published on August 9, 2025 and has been updated.

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