UK Travellers to the EU: Prepare for EU’s New Border System in October
UK citizens are being advised to prepare for the rollout of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), set to launch in October 2025.
The UK Foreign Office has warned travellers that while the EU has yet to confirm an exact date, they should stay informed and be ready for the changes once the system goes live.
The EES will replace manual passport stamping with a digital system that enhances border security across the Schengen Area and closely tracks whether travellers are respecting the EU’s 90/180-day rule. After multiple delays, the EU recently confirmed that the system will be introduced gradually.
Under the new rules, UK passport holders and other non-EU travellers will be required to register their biometric details such fingerprints and a facial scan on their first entry into the bloc. This data will be stored digitally for three years.
Once registered, travellers will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at border checkpoints on subsequent trips within that period.
Longer Wait Times Expected at UK Ports
The introduction of EES is expected to increase waiting times at major departure points, including Dover, Eurotunnel, and St Pancras.
According to the Foreign Office, travellers should check with their travel operators before departure to plan their arrival time and prepare for potential delays.
To minimize disruptions, UK authorities are working closely with the EU, which is funding ports and transport operators to implement the necessary technology.
- Eurostar will have around 50 kiosks for EES checks.
- Eurotunnel will install more than 100 kiosks, adding approximately five minutes to journey times.
- The Port of Dover will operate 24 kiosks and deploy mobile agents to speed up processing.
Longer queue times are also expected at European airports.
As the launch date approaches, UK travellers are encouraged to stay updated on further announcements regarding the EES rollout.
Are you prepared to say goodbye to passport stamps when travelling to the EU? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.
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