Everything You Need to Know About the New EU Entry/Exit System (EES) Launching 12 October 2025
From 12 October 2025, the European Union will introduce a new Entry/Exit System (EES) at all external Schengen borders. This marks one of the biggest changes in how British travellers enter Europe since Brexit.
The new system replaces the manual stamping of passports with a digital biometric process, designed to strengthen border security and streamline travel across the Schengen Area. Here’s what business travellers need to know before the system goes live.
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What Is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is an automated IT system that records the time, date, and place of entry and exit for non-EU nationals travelling into and out of the Schengen Zone. It will collect:
- Facial images
- Four fingerprints
- Passport details
This biometric data will replace the need for manual passport stamps and automatically calculate how long travellers have stayed within the Schengen Area — ensuring compliance with the 90 days in any 180-day period rule.
Who Does It Apply To?
The new system applies to:
- UK nationals and other non-EU/EEA/Swiss travellers entering or leaving Schengen countries.
- Business and leisure travellers visiting destinations within the 29 EES countries (all Schengen states plus Bulgaria and Romania from 2025).
It does not apply when travelling to Ireland or Cyprus, as these are outside the Schengen Area.
Children under 12 years old are exempt from fingerprinting, though a photo will still be taken.
Full list of Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, 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
Where and How You’ll Register
Travellers will be enrolled the first time they enter the Schengen Area after the system launches.
- By air: Registration will take place at your arrival airport in the EU.
- By train or car: Those using Eurostar (St Pancras), Eurotunnel (Folkestone), or travelling via the Port of Dover will complete registration before leaving the UK at newly installed EES kiosks.
The first registration will take a few minutes longer than usual, but subsequent trips will be much faster once your biometric record is stored in the system.
What Business Travellers Should Expect
To help you plan ahead, here’s what you can expect:
- Allow extra time at departure points such as Eurostar, Dover, or Folkestone, especially during the initial rollout. Once registered, border crossings will be quicker on future trips.
- Bring all required documents, including your passport (valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay), travel itinerary, and accommodation details.
- Understand the 90/180-day rule. The system will automatically track your stays, so overstays will be flagged electronically.
- Families: Children under 12 won’t have fingerprints taken, while those aged 12–17 will need both fingerprints and a facial photo.
- Cruise travel: Cruises beginning and ending outside Schengen are largely exempt, but disembarking within Schengen to continue overland may trigger EES checks.
Data and Privacy
Your EES data will be securely stored for three years, or up to five years if an overstay occurs. This information is used solely for border management and law enforcement purposes under EU data protection laws.
What Comes Next — ETIAS in 2026
It’s important not to confuse the EES with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is expected to launch in late 2026. ETIAS will require UK nationals to obtain pre-travel authorisation online before entering the Schengen Area and will involve a small fee (currently expected to be around €20).
Final Advice from CT Group Travel
At CT Group Travel, we’re preparing our clients for these changes to ensure smooth and stress-free journeys across Europe.
As the EES rollout approaches, we recommend:
- Checking your passport validity early.
- Allowing additional time at ports and stations.
- Staying informed via our regular travel updates and client communications.
Our expert travel consultants will continue to monitor developments and provide guidance as more details emerge.
If you have any questions about how EES may affect your company’s travel programme, please contact us to discuss further.
