The European Union’s (EU’s) biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) was first on P J Hayman’s radar in 2022.
Although there have been delays in actioning it, the EES will be implemented on Sunday 12th October 2025. Dubbed “the most modern digital border management system in the world”, EU countries within the Schengen Area will gradually implement the EES over 180 days from 12th October.
Let us explain the purpose of the EES for UK travellers, while reassuring you as to how it will work. Plus, we’ll take a look at what makes the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System stand out from other border control processes.
What is the EU’s Biometric Entry/Exit System?
The EES is an automated IT system that will operate at airports, land borders, and ports within the Schengen Area. It will register all the movements of “third-country nationals” (visitors from non-EU countries) who have booked a short stay in 25 EU countries (it will not apply in Ireland or Cyprus, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).
As British passport holders are “third-country nationals”, each time we travel from the UK to an EU country, we’ll be required to join a new queue. Our passports (or other travel documents) will need to be scanned at an automated self-service kiosk. We’ll then be able to cross the border.
Thanks to cutting-edge technology, scanning your passports or travel documents should be a swift procedure. The first time a traveller completes the process, their biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) will be captured and recorded on the system. Also, the time, date, and place of their entry/exit will be registered so the duration of their authorised stay can be calculated.
This is in addition to the following checks that border officials are required to note:
- The purpose of a traveller’s visit.
- That the traveller has not stayed for over 90 days within the past 180 days.
- The traveller has an onward or return ticket, alongside additional monies to fund the entire length of their stay.
Where will EES checks take place?
In Europe, within the Schengen area, the EES will affect your trip if you arrive and leave an airport or port.
When travelling via the Port of Dover or via the Eurostar or the Eurotunnel (leaving the UK at Folkestone), you’ll need to complete the EES process when passing through passport control in the UK when departing. This is because there is a dual border at these departure points – for both Britain and France. When leaving the Schengen area via port, Eurostar or Eurotunnel, you may need to provide your fingerprint or photo too.
UK travellers going to the Schengen area by Eurostar from London St Pancras International will be required to use self-service pre-registration kiosks. They will be located in three different areas of the station. You’ll need to make a stop at these before going through the ticket barriers.
You may be questioning how long the queues will be at peak times when the EES comes into force at Dover. There’s no need to worry. The government has pledged £10.5 million to prepare the port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel for the upcoming EU digital border system.
The UK government continues to work with the European Commission, EU member states, local authorities and the travel industry to help all UK ports prepare for the EES. In addition, if you have accessibility needs, provisions have been put in place to assist you further.
What are the benefits of the Biometric Entry/Exit System?
Manual passport stamping will end because the EES is set to replace it. So, border control should be less time-consuming. Only in Cyprus and Ireland will a passport be stamped manually.
If UK travellers travel regularly to the EU, they’ll only need to register and submit their fingerprints, and provide a facial biometric once every three years. Then, after their first visit to the region, only their facial biometrics will be used.
When walking through the EES System with a valid passport, they’ll have the freedom to travel around the EU. Then, when they need to renew their passport, they will only be required to register a new facial biometric registration.
It’s important to note that EES registration will take an extra few minutes to complete. As such, you may wait slightly longer at border control when the system gets up and running.
View some travel advice on passports to ensure you have the freedom to travel.
What makes the EU’s Biometric Entry/Exit System stand out?
The biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) is niche technology that has been developed and managed by the eu-LISA (European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice). The eu-LISA aims to collect valid and reliable data at border control throughout the European Union.
The eu-LISA’S objectives for the EES are:
- To ensure visitors who’ve exceeded the maximum duration of their stay are detected.
- To detect, document, and identify fraud instantly.
- To prevent irregular migration, to enhance the safety and security of EU citizens.
- To detect, prevent, and investigate terrorist offences. Plus, further criminal offences that could cause serious harm.
Also, it is hoped that third-country nationals will be able to travel quicker and more comfortably due to this new large-scale IT system that uses automated biometric technology.
Should we be concerned about how our biometric data will be stored?
Collecting biometrics can have an impact on a traveller’s privacy. However, the technology used ensures that travellers’ fundamental rights are protected.
View more information and answers about the EES.
When will the EES start?
The EU Entry/Exit System will be implemented from Sunday 12th October.
What happens when a traveller has already entered the Schengen area prior to the EES launch date, but exits the Schengen area after EES has been launched?
Travellers who are in the Schengen area prior to EES implementation may be registered for EES on exit, depending on their departure port. They will not need to do anything to prepare for this.
Is there anything travellers can do in advance of travelling?
No. Travellers will need to submit their biometric details at the Schengen border, and only once EES is introduced. It is not currently possible to register biometric details in advance of the border.
What will follow the biometric Entry/Exit System?
Another large-scale IT system due to follow the EES is the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). The ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation system that will include an additional fee as part of the authorisation process. It’s for visa-exempt visitors – a visa-waiver.
Again, it will apply to all British passport holders to tighten security and border controls. Also, it will be valid for three years, or until a passport is invalid. However, it can be completed online before leaving home, instead of border control.
Currently, there is a €20 fee for the ETIAS as part of the authorisation process. Compared to the price of other travel documents and visas, this price appears reasonable. The ETIAS is set to go live in the autumn of 2026.
Visit the EU’s official travel website for up-to-date information and what will be required.
Travel With Confidence to Europe
If you or a client are planning a European holiday this autumn or in the future the EES is one more hoop to jump through. We hope we have provided all the essential travel advice and information about the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System.
For further advice, visit the Gov UK website or refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website.
To help you and your clients travel with confidence in Europe, take one of our travel insurance products along for the adventure.
0 Comments