What is the EU entry/exit system (EES)?
Key takeaways
The EU entry/exit system (EES) is a new digital border system, which applies to British citizens travelling to the Schengen Area
It is causing delays while people are first registered on the system
You don’t need to do anything before you arrive at the border and there is no charge for EES registration
What is the EU entry/exit system (EES)?
The EU entry/exit system (EES) is a new digital border system, which applies to British citizens travelling to the Schengen Area.
Instead of having your passport physically stamped when you arrive in the EU, you:
Register your biometric details, such as your fingerprints and a photo, in a dedicated booth
Have your passport scanned
People of all ages need to go through the EES checks. Children under 12 do not need to provide fingerprints, but they do need to have a facial scan taken
The first time you go through this process a digital EES record is created. This is valid for three years.
💡 Top tip: You don’t need to do anything before you arrive at the border and there is no charge for EES registration.
Is EES causing delays at airports?
Yes, collecting biometric data from non-EU travellers has resulted in longer processing times at border checkpoints since the system was introduced in October 2025.
However, on subsequent trips to Schengen countries, your biometrics will already be recorded in the EES. So passport control officers will only need to verify your fingerprints and photo, which should take less time.
It is recommended to be prepared for potentially long delays by arriving at the airport at least three hours before your flight departs and having food, water and any medication you need on hand.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is made up of 29 European countries, which you can travel freely between as if they were a single country, once you have met the initial entry requirements.
The 29 countries are:
EU members: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Non-EU members: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland
💡 Top tip: Ireland and Cyprus are EU Members but they are not part of the Schengen Area so EES does not apply when you travel there.
Why has EES been introduced?
The EES has been introduced by the EU to:
Strengthen border security
Improve efficiency at external EU borders
Better monitor the length of stay for non-EU nationals
Detect overstayers and potential risks
Identify suspected criminals
Combat identity fraud
Does EES apply to me?
EES applies to you if you hold a British passport (or the passport of any country not in the Schengen Area) and travel to the Schengen Area.
EES applies to:
✔ Tourists
✔ Business travellers
✔ People visiting family or friends
EES does not apply to:
✖️ EU citizens
✖️ EU residents
✖️ People with long-stay visas
💡 Top tip: If you are a British national living in the EU under the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) you don’t need to register in the EES - provided you can show your WA residence document.
Do I need to do anything for EES before leaving the UK?
No, the EES does not require any pre-registration or online form before you leave the UK.
EES registration happens at the EU border, not before your journey.
Are there any restrictions for staying in the EU?
Yes, there are restrictions for British travellers staying in the EU.
The EES helps enforce the EU “90 days in any 180-day period” rule for non-EU nationals.
This rule means:
You can stay up to 90 days within any 180-day window across the entire Schengen Area
The EES will automatically calculate your remaining allowance based on entry and exit records
If you overstay, it could lead to fines, entry bans, or other penalties.
📣 Did you know? British residents made 70.6 million trips to Europe in 2024, with Spain the most popular destination, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Where are EES checks carried out?
EES checks vary depending on how you travel:
By plane
EES checks are carried out at airports in the first EU/Schengen country you land in.
By car
If you're driving into the EU via Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (Channel Tunnel) at Folkestone, there is a purpose-built pre-registration area where you can use self-service kiosks for EES checks.
If you’re taking your car on a ferry departing from the Port of Dover, you’ll be registered for EES at the new Western Docks. Follow the advice given by the Port of Dover and your travel operator when booking.
By ferry
If you board a ferry in the Port of Dover, you’ll be registered for EES at the port in Dover.
If you’re leaving the UK from any other ferry port apart from Dover, the ferry terminal in France (or another Schengen country) will handle EES registration on arrival.
By train
If you’re using Eurostar from London St Pancras International you may be asked to use a self-service pre-registration kiosk for EES before going through the ticket gates.
By cruise
If you start and finish your cruise outside of the Schengen Area you usually won’t need to go through EES checks.
But, if you disembark a cruise within the Schengen Area, and travel on to a further destination, including an alternative port, by other means, you may need to complete EES checks when leaving the ship.
If you board a cruise within the Schengen Area you may need to complete EES checks at your initial entry port of entry to the Schengen Area.
Frequently ask questions
Do I need a passport for EES?
Yes, you still need a passport for EES.
EES does not replace passport checks – it digitises the process of entry/exit recording and replaces physical passport stamps.
Do I need to register for EES if I have an EU passport?
No, EU citizens with an EU passport do not need to register for EES when travelling within the Schengen Area. The EES is designed for non-EU citizens traveling for short stays. EU citizens, including those with dual citizenship (EU and non-EU), are exempt.
Do I need to register for EES if I have an Irish passport?
No, if you travel on an Irish passport, you do not need to register for EES. Irish citizens are exempt from EES requirements.
What data is collected by the EES?
EES collects, records and stores:
Data listed in your travel document(s) (e.g. full name, date of birth, etc.)
Date and place of each entry and exit
Biometric data (facial image and fingerprints)
Whether you were refused entry to a country
What happens if I refuse to have my fingerprints scanned or a photo of my face taken?
If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry into your destination country.
How long can I stay in the Schengen Area for?
British passport holders can normally stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. Different rules may apply if you have a visa or residence rights.
You can use the EU’s “short-stay calculator” to check the duration of your authorised stay.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a separate system to EES and it is due to be introduced in the last quarter of 2026.
When ETIAS is introduced you need to apply for authorisation to enter the Schengen Area before you travel.
More information is available on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.
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