EU Entry/Exit System (EES): the EU biometric checks

From 12 October 2025, travelling to the European Union (EU) for non-EU nationals – including UK citizens – will undergo major changes. The long-anticipated EU Entry/Exit System (“EES”) will finally come into force, introducing mandatory biometric border checks for people entering the Schengen Area. These changes will significantly affect travellers between the UK and EU, especially those arriving by land or sea.

Gherson Solicitors specialise in UK immigration, travel compliance and cross-border legal strategy, and in this article we explore the impact of these changes for individuals and families who are planning travel to or from the UK, and offer some tips on how to prepare for a problem-free journey.

What is the EES?

The EES is a fully automated IT border control system that will be rolled out by the European Union authorities on 12 October 2025, with full implementation expected by 10 April 2026. It will replace the traditional manual passport stamping process for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area.

Instead of passport stamps, travellers will be registered in the following way:

• facial image (biometric photo);
• fingerprints;
• biographical information (name, nationality, document details, etc.); and
• date and location of entry and exit.

The system is designed to improve border security, reduce unlawful overstays and modernise cross-border control across the EU and Schengen countries.

Does this apply to you?

If you are a non-EU national (including British citizens) travelling to Schengen countries for a short stay, the EES will apply to you, regardless of whether you need a visa. The system will electronically register all your entries, exits and any existing entry refusals. It should be noted that there are certain exemptions to these rules. A “short stay” means up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This period is calculated as a single period for all European countries using the EES. The single 180-day period is a rolling timeframe, meaning you must count backwards from the present date to calculate how many days you have already spent in the Schengen Area. If you exceed 90 days within this single period, you may run the risk of violating the terms of your stay.

How will the EES affect your travel?

The UK Government has invested £10.5 million across Eurostar, Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover to install registration kiosks and relevant infrastructure designed to make the EES process as smooth as possible.

How to register:

• Eurostar (St Pancras): use self-service kiosks in three station areas before passing through the ticket gates.
• Eurotunnel (Folkestone): register in the purpose-built area with self-service kiosks before boarding.
• Port of Dover ferries: register at kiosks or agent-assisted desks at the Western Docks processing area.
• Airports and other ports: complete registration at the border upon arrival in your destination country.

Travel tips to minimise delays

To avoid delays, follow your travel operator’s instructions and inform border staff immediately if you anticipate any difficulties with biometric checks.

For individuals travelling between the UK and Europe, especially frequent flyers or those with time-sensitive needs, we strongly recommend:

• booking direct flights from UK airports to non-Schengen destinations, where feasible;
• avoiding EU layovers or land/ferry entries into the Schengen Area, where delays may occur; and/or
• arriving early for cross-border rail or ferry check-ins to account for potential biometric processing queues.

If you are a business traveller or an individual with visa-sensitive travel needs, even small delays can affect your visa timelines, residence status obligations or work-related deadlines.

EES and ETIAS – what is the difference?

While the EES introduces biometric border checks, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a pre-travel authorisation system scheduled to become operational in late 2026.

When ETIAS is introduced, UK travellers will need to:

• apply for authorisation to enter Schengen area countries if travelling with a UK passport;
• provide personal information and details about the planned trip; and
• pay a small fee (circa €20).

ETIAS is comparable to the USA’s ESTA or the UK’s own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.

Combined with the EES, this means that UK citizens travelling to the EU will soon face a two-step entry process:

• Pre-travel authorisation (ETIAS); and
• Biometric border registration (EES).

Final thoughts 

The introduction of EU biometric checks under the EES marks a significant shift in European border control, and will affect UK citizens and residents who travel regularly to the EU. Since the UK is not part of the new system, the impact will be felt across air, rail and ferry networks.

If you are applying for permanent residence in the UK, planning frequent international travel or simply wish to avoid any travel disruptions, you should consider consulting with an immigration professional to be fully prepared for the upcoming changes.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on all UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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