New Eu Border System Brings Checks To Travel

Published on September 26, 2025

EU Entry/Exit System, truthful British passport holders should expect a one-time biometric sign-up astatine first introduction and integer exit-entry records aft that. Checks see a passport scan, a look photo, and successful galore cases fingerprints, recorded nether EU rules to switch astir manual stamping and to way nan 90 successful 180 days limit for short stays. Ireland and Cyprus are extracurricular this system. Plan a small other clip astatine engaged airports, obstruction hubs, and ports during nan rotation out.

What changes astatine nan checkpoint

At your first EES crossing, separator officers will registry you by scanning your passport, capturing a facial image, and usually taking fingerprints. Once registered, later trips should beryllium faster because officers only verify nan stored biometrics and your passport. The EU explains that EES replaces astir stamping pinch a integer introduction and exit record.

Practical prep for flights, trains, and ferries

Build a mini clip buffer into your journey, particularly if your hub is going unrecorded adjacent your recreation date. Bring a valid UK passport that meets Schengen rules, positive impervious of stay, return ticket, and insurance, arsenic officers whitethorn inquire for them nether existing rules. Remove hats and glasses erstwhile asked for nan look image. Families should cognize that children nether 12 are usually not fingerprinted, but must beryllium coming for checks.

Where EES does not apply

Travel to Ireland aliases Cyprus is extracurricular EES. If your itinerary combines an EES separator pinch these places, scheme for different procedures astatine each leg.

ETIAS is abstracted and later

ETIAS is simply a recreation authorisation that nan EU plans to motorboat successful precocious 2026. It is not required successful 2025. Check nan charismatic ETIAS tract for timing and guidance arsenic your travel day approaches.

Where EES applies and wherever it does not

EES applies astatine outer borders of each Schengen countries and 4 associated states. It does not use for recreation to Ireland aliases Cyprus. The UK authorities repeats that favoritism successful its guidance to British travellers. If you are heading to non-Schengen EU destinations for illustration Ireland, existent introduction rules continue

How this affects your adjacent trip

For trips from nan UK to nan Schengen area, let other clip astatine check-in aliases juxtaposed French separator controls astatine Dover, Folkestone, and St Pancras while nan caller strategy beds in. Have your documents fresh and beryllium prepared to region hats and glasses for nan facial image. Families should statement that children nether 12 are usually not fingerprinted, but they still request to beryllium coming for nan check. The EU’s traveller pages outline these applicable steps and punctual visitors that separator officers tin still inquire modular questions connected magnitude of enactment and funds

Bottom statement for travellers

Schengen borders are moving to integer checks. With a mini clip buffer and your papers ready, your metropolis break, activity trip, aliases skis week should beryllium straightforward. Check nan EU’s EES pages recreation guidance a time aliases 2 earlier you spell for immoderate site-specific updates. Safe travels.

Cruise and ferry notes

The UK government’s EES guidance includes a conception connected oversea travel. Procedures astatine ports whitethorn alteration during nan phased rotation out, but nan aforesaid EES rules use erstwhile you participate nan Schengen area from a vessel aliases ferry. Check your operator’s proposal earlier you sail and let clip for on-site checks wherever separator unit committee nan alloy aliases process passengers successful terminals.