EU Confirms 12th October 2025 Launch for Entry/Exit System

After years of delays and shifting timelines, the European Union has finally locked in a date for the rollout of its new "Entry/Exit System" (EES): 12th October 2025.

The EU has confirmed that the new Entry/Exit System will be in place from 12th October 2025

What Is the EU's EES and What Does It Mean for Travellers?

From 12th October, all non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area will need to register biometric data, including four fingerprints and a facial image. Children under 12 will be exempt from fingerprinting.

On future visits, travellers will be asked to provide either a fingerprint scan or a facial recognition scan to match with their registered profile.

The countries this affects are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

A Gradual Rollout – But Not for Long

There’s some breathing room for both travellers and border authorities. Until 9th April 2026, EU countries will have the option to temporarily suspend EES if it causes major delays. In the first two months of the rollout, there’s also the possibility of running the system without actually storing the biometric data.

To avoid chaos, passport stamping will continue alongside the EES process until April 2026. But after that? It’s all digital. Stamping will be phased out completely, and biometric registration will become mandatory for all non-EU citizens.

If travelling from the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, your information will be taken at the French border outpost on the UK side before leaving.

Until 9th April 2026, EU countries will have the option to temporarily suspend EES if it causes major delays

How Will This Affect UK Travellers?

In a recent move, the EU agreed to let UK citizens use e-gates at all European airports where EES is implemented. It’s still a bit unclear how this will work in practice. However, it seems likely that Brits will be able to submit their fingerprints during their first post-launch visit via the e-gates, though final approval will still require speaking with a border control officer.

Once registered, the EES data will be valid for three years, and the clock resets with each new entry, unless you change passports, in which case the process starts anew.

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ETIAS: The Other Travel Change You Need to Know

Don’t confuse the Entry/Exit System with ETIAS, the "European Travel Information and Authorisation System". This is the EU's answer to the US ESTA and will also become mandatory for UK visitors heading to 30 European destinations.

Although ETIAS has faced its own string of delays, it’s expected to launch later in 2025, following the EES rollout. The application fee has been set at €20, but only travellers aged 18 to 70 will be required to pay.

Much like the US ESTA, a valid ETIAS authorisation will let you travel freely for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It’s linked directly to your passport and lasts up to three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System will also come into play later in 2025

No ETIAS? No Boarding

Here’s the catch: travellers must apply for ETIAS before departure. Airlines will deny boarding to anyone who hasn’t completed the process, so there’s no room for last-minute surprises at the airport. Luckily, the system is designed to avoid border delays, as all checks will be done pre-departure.

What Next: EU Confirms 12th October 2025 Launch for Entry/Exit System?

With the EES launch just around the corner and ETIAS on its heels, UK travellers should prepare now to avoid disruption in late 2025 and beyond.

At present, the only preparation needed is the expectation that as of 12th October 2025 it is likely that you will have a delay when you arrive in the Schengen Area for the first time. The good news is the EES system is valid for 3 years.

What are your thoughts on the Entry Exit System? Leave us a comment below to tell us!

Helena

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