After years of delays and shifting deadlines, in just eight days’ time the EU will activate its new border system, the long-planned Entry/Exit System (EES) on 12th October 2025. For travellers, particularly those from the UK, this is one of the biggest changes to European border control since Brexit, and it’s arriving imminently.

What Is the EU’s Entry/Exit System?

From 12th October, all travellers who are not EU citizens will be required to register biometric data when entering the Schengen Area. That means fingerprints, four of them, along with a facial image. Children under 12 won’t need to provide fingerprints, but adults should be prepared for the new procedure.

Once you’ve completed your initial registration, future trips will be quicker, as you’ll only need to confirm your identity using either a fingerprint scan or facial recognition. The countries applying this new system cover the entire Schengen Zone, from France, Spain and Italy, to the Nordics, Eastern Europe, and even non-EU members like Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland.

A Gradual Rollout – But Not for Long

Although the system officially starts on 12th October, there is a short transition period. Until April 2026, EU member states will be allowed to temporarily suspend the system if it causes serious delays at the border. For the first two months, there is also the option to operate the process without storing biometric data to help ease the rollout.

During this time, traditional passport stamping will continue alongside the EES. But make no mistake, from April 2026 onward, the days of collecting border stamps will be over. The entire process will be digital, and biometric registration will become the only way to enter the Schengen Zone as a non-EU traveller. If you’re travelling from the UK through Dover, Folkestone, or St Pancras, expect French border officers to collect your information before you even leave the country.

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How Will This Affect UK Travellers?

For UK citizens, there’s a small silver lining. The EU has confirmed that Brits will be able to use e-gates at European airports where EES is in place. It’s likely that the first time you use an e-gate after launch, you’ll be prompted to provide your fingerprints, followed by a short check with a border officer. Once registered, your profile will be valid for three years, meaning you won’t have to repeat the process until then, unless, of course, you renew your passport.

ETIAS: The Other Change Just Around the Corner

It’s important not to confuse the EES with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is also on the horizon. Often described as Europe’s answer to the US ESTA, ETIAS will require travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries to complete an application before departure. The current plan is for ETIAS to launch later in 2025, once the EES is in place.

ETIAS will cost €20, although only travellers aged between 18 and 70 will need to pay. Like the ESTA, once approved it will allow you to travel freely across the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires, ETIAS will be linked directly to your passport. But be warned: if you don’t have an approved ETIAS before travelling, airlines will refuse to board you. There won’t be any last-minute fixes at the airport.

What This Means for You

With just eight days until the EES goes live, travellers need to prepare for a period of adjustment. Border queues are expected to be longer, especially in the early months as both passengers and border authorities adapt to the new process. The good news is that once your biometric data is registered, it will last for three years, making subsequent trips simpler.

ETIAS will be the next big step, likely landing before the year is out, so it’s worth keeping an eye on developments to avoid last-minute surprises. For now, the key takeaway is simple: if you’re travelling to Europe after 12th October, give yourself extra time at the border, especially if it’s your first trip post-launch.

The countdown is on, the Entry/Exit System is no longer a future plan. It’s happening in just eight days. Are you ready?

Helena

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