Travellers face ‘few minutes extra’ at border controls when EES is introduced

The Foreign Office has issued fresh guidance over introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) for 29 countries across Europe.

 

Advice was updated yesterday (Wednesday) for travel to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, 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.

 

The changes concern the European Union’s rollout of the EES after the Easter long weekend. 

 

The FCDO suggested that EES may take each passenger a “few minutes extra” to complete “so be prepared to wait longer than usual” at the border.

 

The FCDO said: “EES checks are being introduced in a phased way across external borders, with full operation expected from 10 April 2026.

 

“This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.

 

“On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. 

 

“Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. 

 

“You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. 

 

“Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.”

 

The FCDO added: “Until EES is fully rolled out your passport will continue to be stamped, even if you’ve already been registered for EES. 

 

“Once EES is fully rolled out, it will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays and you will input biometric details every time you enter or exit.

 

“If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International and you are asked to register for EES, the information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.

 

“Your digital EES record is valid for three years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will still only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.”