UK travellers heading to Europe will soon face a new digital border control system, as the European Union prepares to launch its Entry/Exit System on 12 October 2025, replacing traditional passport stamps with biometric scans.
Under the EES, non-EU visitors, including UK citizens, will be required to register fingerprints and facial images alongside passport details to enter any EU country. The process will be carried out at airports, seaports, and train terminals using special booths or hand-held devices, depending on the location.
Biometric registration is mandatory; travellers who decline to provide biometric data will be denied entry.
Once recorded, a traveller’s data will be valid for three years, streamlining future trips and the process is free for all travellers.
Once in the system, UK travellers will be able to use e-gates at certain border points.
The new checks are designed to improve security and automate border crossings, but concerns remain about delays, particularly at busy crossings like the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel terminals, where French border checks already take place on UK soil.
The system was originally set for launch in 2023 but faced technical setbacks, delaying implementation. Full rollout across all EU countries is expected by April 2026.
Data will be stored for three years and one day for most tourists. However, those who overstay the EU’s 90-day limit without a visa could see their records held for up to five years.
The UK government has advised travellers to expect longer wait times during the initial phase of the rollout, though the EU claims the new system will eventually reduce queues by allowing travellers to pre-register and speed up identity checks.
A recent agreement between the UK and EU means British nationals will gain wider access to e-gates across Europe, but only once the EES system is operational.
