Your EU Holidays Just Changed: What to Know Before Oct 12

The way Britons and other non-EU citizens travel to most of Europe is set for a dramatic, permanent change, with the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) beginning its phased rollout from October 12, 2025.

This major digital border overhaul will abolish the traditional passport stamp for all non-EU short-stay visitors to the Schengen Area, which now comprises 29 countries including popular destinations like France, Spain, Italy, and Greece, plus non-EU members like Switzerland and Norway. Notably, the system will not apply to Ireland or Cyprus.

The EES requires visitors to register at the border by scanning their passport and completing "biometric checks": having their fingerprints and photograph taken. This initial registration, usually at an automated kiosk or with a border officer, will store the data for three years. Once registered, subsequent entries and exits will involve scanning the passport and providing either fingerprints or a photograph, with "no paperwork needed" beforehand.

Key Implementation Timeline and Potential Delays

The system's launch is not a "big bang," but a phased introduction, leading to warnings of potential travel disruption during the six-month transition:

October 12, 2025: EES begins its phased rollout. At least one border point in each participating country should be operating the new system. Only coach passengers and lorry drivers are expected to be processed at UK-EU border points like the Eurotunnel initially.

December 2025: 10% of border points in each country should be operating EES. Eurotunnel aims to begin registering car passengers by the end of the year. Eurostar is inviting a select group of customers to pilot the system, with biometrics starting mid-December.

January 2026: Half of border crossing points should be operational, processing at least a third of passengers.

April 10, 2026: The EES should be fully implemented across all participating border points, entirely replacing manual passport stamping.

Impact on UK-EU Crossings

Travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone, or Eurostar at St Pancras International will complete their EES biometrics before leaving the UK, as French border controls operate on British soil in these locations (known as juxtaposed controls).

While the UK government has provided funding to support the necessary infrastructure changes and has warned travellers to "allow more time for their journey," Eurotunnel's chief executive has predicted "minimal impact," estimating an added time of just two minutes per passenger to the overall crossing time due to the gradual introduction. However, border control operators at key transport hubs are bracing for the possibility of longer waits as the new systems "bed in."

Policing the 90/180-Day Rule

A primary function of the EES is to accurately police the Schengen 90/180-day rule, which limits non-EU citizens to a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period across the zone. The digital records will provide border authorities with instant, precise data on a visitor's compliance.

The Next European Travel Cost: ETIAS

The EES is the first of two significant changes. It will be followed by the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is now expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026.

Once operational, British and other visa-exempt non-EU travellers will need to apply for this online authorisation before travel and pay a fee, currently set at €20 (around £17). The ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years or until the passport expires.

Data and Security

The EES will collect and store data including full name, date of birth, travel document information, entry/exit dates, facial images, and fingerprints. This data is intended to enhance security, prevent irregular migration, and help detect overstayers, document fraud, and serious crime. Refusing to provide the required biometric data will result in a refusal of entry. Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but will be photographed.