The Foreign Office has issued updated guidance for travellers heading to any Schengen‑area country as the EU prepares to introduce its new Entry/Exit System (EES).
The system is being phased in across external borders, with full implementation expected by 10 April 2026
Under the new rules, UK passport holders entering the Schengen zone for short stays may be required to register biometric details, including fingerprints and a photograph. Registration takes place at the border, requires no advance action, and is free of charge. First‑time visitors may be directed to a dedicated booth before proceeding to immigration.
Travellers may also be asked to provide a fingerprint or photo when leaving the Schengen area. Children aged 11 and under will not have fingerprints taken, though a photo may still be required. The process may add a few extra minutes to border checks, so passengers should be prepared for slightly longer queues during the rollout period.
Until EES is fully operational, passports will continue to be stamped even if biometric registration has already been completed. Once live, EES will replace manual stamping entirely, with biometric verification required at each entry and exit.
Travellers entering the Schengen area via Dover, Eurotunnel Folkestone or Eurostar St Pancras will be asked to complete EES registration before departing the UK. Once created, a digital EES record remains valid for three years, meaning returning visitors will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border during that period.
For business travellers, the key message is simple: expect slightly longer processing times during the transition and follow border‑staff instructions to keep journeys running smoothly.