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The EU has set a new start date for the introduction of biometric entry rules for British travelers.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, confirmed that the Entry/Exit System (EES) will now be implemented in November 2025, following delays due to technical issues and concerns over border congestion.
Originally set for November 10, 2024, the EES will replace manual passport stamping with a digital system, requiring non-EU travelers, including Brits, to provide fingerprints and facial recognition data when entering the Schengen Area.
Although not technically a visa, the registration process will function similarly for travelers, streamlining border security by electronically tracking entries and exits.
Port authorities and transport officials have warned of possible delays when the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) launches. Initial biometric registration is expected to take time, especially at busy hubs like Dover and the Channel Tunnel.
To manage potential bottlenecks, the Port of Dover is expanding its infrastructure, including additional registration areas, as travelers will need to exit their vehicles for biometric checks.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, stated: “We’re preparing for a November start, but no firm date has been set.”
Once implemented, the EES will require non-EU travelers to register fingerprints and facial biometrics, have their travel history logged digitally, and forgo passport stamps. Returning travelers won’t need to re-register for three years unless they get a new passport.
The EU Commission is expected to confirm the exact start date by April or May 2025. Meanwhile, UK officials and travel operators are working to ensure travelers are aware of the upcoming requirements.
Part of the EU’s broader push to tighten border security and modernize immigration, the system will help track entries, exits, and overstays more accurately. This could lead some member states to reassess visa policies, tighten enforcement, or impose stricter re-entry bans for rule violators.
All UK passport holders traveling to the EU by air, rail, or ferry will need to comply, except for those heading to Ireland and Cyprus, which are outside the Schengen system.
