Travelling to Europe? Everything you need to know about the new EU Entry/Exit System ahead of start date
Here is everything you need to know about the EU’s new Entry/Exit System and how it affects you ahead of its launch on April 10.
Travellers heading to Europe should brace for longer airport queues, as new border controls come into force this week.
The European Union is now fully rolling out its new Entry/Exit System (EES) following a phased introduction which began last October. Passport stamps will be replaced with digitally recorded entries and exits, as well as refusals of entry for non-EU short stay travellers.
The new system will become fully operational on Friday, April 10, which means that any non-EU travellers - such as those from the UK - must have their biometric data such as fingerprints and facial image recorded when they enter the bloc for the first time following this date.
The scheme is intended to modernise border controls and tighten security, however the early days of the integration is likely to result in delays across across Schengen area airports.
Here is everything you need to know about what’s changing with EU border controls, how it might affect you, and what you can do to avoid being caught out.
What is the new EU Entry/Exit System?
Essentially, the EU’s Entry/Exit System is an automated IT system which will register non-EU nationals who are travelling to countries in the Schengen area for short stays.
It will replace passport stamps, track who comes in and out of each EU country to prevent misuse of visa-free travel and to stop people from overstaying, as well as give border officers and law enforcement wider access to important traveller information.
In the long-term it is also intended to cut down waiting time at border control due to faster checks, self-service options and the possibility of providing information in advance.
However, in the short term as the EES is being introduced, travellers are likely to face significant delays as biometric and personal data is registered - potentially both on entry and exit.
When will the new EU Entry/Exit System start?
The new Entry/Exit System for European Union countries will officially begin from Friday, April 10 2026.
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What is the Schengen area? Countries using the EU EES
The Schengen area is the largest free travel area in the world, covering 29 countries. Between these member countries there is then no internal border controls. The UK is not part of this.
In terms of the new EES rules, these will apply if you travel to airports or external borders in any of the following countries:
- 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
- Switzerland
With that being said, if you are planning on entering the Schengen area from UK locations such as the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle at Folkestone or the Eurostar at St Pancras International, EES checks will be completed at the border before you leave the UK.
This applies even if you’re a UK passport holder and there will be self-service and pre-registration areas and kiosks available.
Who will the EES apply to?
In short, the EES will apply to any travellers who do not hold the nationality of a European Union country, or that of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Cyprus and Ireland are also exempt.
It covers short stay visits, which means up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and impacts non-EU nationals who will be automatically registered each time they cross the external borders of certain European countries following the system.
There are, however, a number of exemptions to this rule such as non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national, or non-EU nationals who are travelling for purposes such as research, studies, pupil exchange schemes and more. Further details on exemptions can be found here.
In short, the new system applies to non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area for short stays, including travellers from:
- the United Kingdom
- the United States
- Canada
- Australia
What exactly will change when travelling to the EU from April 10?
If you are a UK citizen, or hold an otherwise non-EU passport, and you plan on travelling to any country in the Schengen area for a short stay, you will be required to register your biometric data when you arrive for the first time from April 10, 2026.
There will be dedicated booths at the port or airport you are travelling to, where you must complete the EES checks - submitting your fingerprints and facial image - on arrival, as well as upon your exit from the Schengen area.
Your EES record will be valid for three years, and once registered you will then be required to provide only a fingerprint or photo at the border when you enter and exit.
As this is a new system, there may be some issues as it is implemented. For example, you may be asked to provide your facial biometric and fingerprints again on subsequent entries or exit due to the data not being properly recorded or because of differences between member states.
If the biometric system isn’t working, you may still receive a regular passport stamp.
In summary, here’s what will change when the EU’s EES comes into force from April 10:
- non-EU travellers will need to register their biometric data when entering countries in the Schengen area for the first time
- border checks may take longer due to the transition as data is recorded
- airports may direct travellers through new self-service kiosks
- passport stamps will eventually disappear
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I’m going on holiday somewhere with the new Entry/Exit System - what do I need to do?
If you’re heading to the EU after April 10, then all you will need to do is follow instructions at border control and provide your biometric data when prompted.
For British passport holders, this means registering four fingerprints from your right hand, as well a facial biometric. Fingerprinting will not be required of children under 12.
From there, expect to be directed to an eGate or a border officer and continue on your journey.
Once registered, each subsequent visit should see you asked only to provide just one biometric - likely the face - though this may vary.
You may be able to pre-register for EES
While this can all be done at the airport, there is also a “Travel to Europe” mobile app in select countries. So far, it appears to only be available in Sweden and in Portugal, but this may expand further along with the scheme.
It is entirely optional, and functionality will vary from country to country, but it may allow you to save time at border checks - though not the required interview. It is also only an option for those with biometric passports.
If you’re travelling to a country where it is in use, you can register your journey no earlier than 72 hours ahead of travel, submit your details and a selfie, and more.
You can find out more about the app, here.
Expect delays as EES introduced at borders
Despite the initial introduction beginning in October 2025, the launch of EES in April is likely to run into some snags along the way.
Chiefly among them, delays.
The official UK Gov website states: “EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts.”
Any possible waits are then likely to be exacerbated by spring holidays and weekend getaways, and that’s ahead of the influx of summer holidays coming up for many.
Extra processing time could potentially even impact travel for those who have connecting flights.
Tips to avoid being caught out by EES
- allow extra time for your arrival at a border
- ensure generous connection times between flights when possible
- keep your passports open and ready when at border control
- pay attention to airport signage as some terminals may introduce separate EES lanes
- make sure you have all of your boarding passes, tickets and more downloaded and at hand
But to make things really simple: rest up, give yourself plenty of extra time and try to remain patient.
You can find out more guidance about the EU Entry/Exit System on the official government website.
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