What the new entry-exit system means for Brits travelling to Europe
A new automated EU travel scheme to replace the manual stamping of passports is set to come into force this weekend. The entry-exit system (EES), which will require UK citizens to provide fingerprints and facial biometrics before travelling to Europe, has faced numerous delays, but the digital border scheme will now be rolled out over the space of 180 days - from this Sunday, 12 October to 9 April 2026. But according to reports, an app that will help people pre-register for the system is still not available to travellers and even when it is, the only nation that is confirmed to be deploying it so far is Sweden. Travel experts have warned that travellers should prepare for delays, with Simon Calder telling BBC Radio 4: "All you can do is hope for the best and be prepared for delays and disruption." Yahoo News UK examines how the system will work and what British travellers can expect when it eventually rolls out. How does the EES work? The entry-exit system (EES) is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals who are travelling to the EU for a short stay - up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The system will register the traveller's name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date of place of entry and exit. It will replace the current system of manually stamping passports. The system will be used by the 29 countries in the Schengen Area, which guarantees free movement to its 450 million EU citizens. Frontex, the EU border and coastguard agency, has developed an app called Travel to Europe which will enable people to pre-register their travel document data and facial image for the EES ahead of time. But while the app was made available for EU member states to integrate into national systems, it is still not available to travellers. It will also only be usable for travellers to Sweden, as it is the only confirmed nation to be deploying the app so far. What does this mean for Brits travelling to Europe? The EES will be used to register travellers from countries outside the EU, including the UK, each time they cross a border in or out of the bloc. British travellers will have to scan their passports or other travel documents at an automated self-service kiosk before crossing the border, instead of having their passport stamped manually. In its latest guidance, the Foreign Office confirmed that British travellers will have their fingerprint or photo taken when first entering or leaving the Schengen area, and said people should be prepared for some queues. "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," the department said. People's data will normally be erased from the system three years after their last trip to an EU country using the EES. Children under the age of 12 will not have to give fingerprints. The Foreign Office adds that the rules are different for the Republic of Ireland and for Cyprus, which is not in the Schengen area. "You can stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period in Cyprus without a visa," it added. "Any time you spend in the Schengen area does not affect the number of days you can spend in Cyprus." The EES will operate at the Port of Dover and Eurostar and Eurotunnel terminals in the UK. There will be self-service kiosks in St Pancras station for Eurostar passengers, but passengers will have to get out of their cars to register at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, Kent. At the port of Dover, car passengers will be provided tablet devices to register and can remain in their vehicles, but coach passengers will have to disembark and use kiosks. There are concerns that the system will mean delays for passengers in the UK. In February, a union warned the introduction of the scheme will lead to delays for UK travellers Lucy Moreton, professional officer at the ISU, the union for borders, immigration and customs, told Yahoo News UK that should travellers should expect delays. "In the early phases it is likely to lead to delays as folk who were not aware of the requirement try to travel," she said. Research has also suggested that UK holidaymakers remain confused about how the rules will impact their trips abroad. The research from Holiday Extras found that 82% of UK travellers remain unclear on how EES will impact their trips, and over a third (35%) are unaware of the scheme coming into force altogether. Why is this happening? The EU said the EES will modernise the management of its borders and eventually lead to an improved experience for travellers. The system is designed to combat identity fraud and spot overstayers to the EU, as well as strengthen security within the bloc. The EES has been delayed repeatedly – initially scheduled for a 2022 start, it was pushed back to May 2023, then the end of 2024 and then until November 2024. Now the European Union has said ESS will start operations on 12 October 2025, and that European countries using the system "will introduce the system gradually at their external borders". "This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026," it added. What does it mean for ETIAS? The EES is linked to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This is a new entry requirement for travellers to enter 30 European countries – the 29 Schengen Area nations as well as Cyprus. With ETIAS, which is not a visa, travellers must apply well in advance for a travel authorisation before starting their trip. Travellers must go online and provide personal information such as address, passport information, current occupation, past travel to conflict zones or any criminal convictions, but unlike EES, no biometric data is collected. The ETIAS, which will cost about £6, will be valid for three years or until the passport used for the application runs out, whichever comes first. The ETIAS is expected to roll out in the last quarter of 2026, a year after the EES becomes operational in October 2025. If that timeline remains in place, by the end of 2026 UK travellers will need authorisation from both systems to travel to the EU. What are the ETIAS travel rules for Brits travelling to Europe? (Yahoo News UK)Spain authorities fine tourists £250 for reserving sunbeds before others arrived (BirminghamLive)EU rejects Trump's claim of unfair digital rules targeting US tech (Reuters)