This is part of the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which came into effect on Sunday, October 12.
The new system is designed to “improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries” as well as “reduce illegal migration in the Schengen area.”.
However, despite the new system, some people are exempt. Here is all to know.
Travelling to Europe in October? ✈️
The launch of the Entry/Exit system means requirements for British and other non-EU citizens travelling to Europe are changing.
Find out how new EU border checks will impact you 👇 pic.twitter.com/VS78gp4NE7
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) September 26, 2025
What is the new EU Entry/Exit System?
The new EU Entry/Exit System requires travellers using UK passports to register their biometric information, which means having their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken.
They must also answer questions about their visit, such as whether they have somewhere to stay, enough money for their trip and a return ticket.
It is a free service implemented to improve border security by reducing illegal migration and detecting visitors overstaying.
EES registrations last three years, therefore, any subsequent border crossing within that period will require an individual’s fingerprints and photograph to be verified.
From Sunday, October 12, only one border point for each state must use the system.
However, at least half of the border points should be operating EES by January next year, with full activation for all eligible arrivals by April 10.
The new EU Entry and Exit System explained
The Home Office urged travellers to expect “longer wait times at border control”, while Advantage Travel Partnership advised visitors to southern Europe to “allocate four hours for navigating the new system”.
EES kiosks have been installed at London’s St Pancras railway station, the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel’s Folkestone terminal to enable many passengers to pass some of the EES checks before they meet a human border official.
Who is exempt from the new EU Entry/Exit System?
As shared on the EU website , here is who the new EES does not apply to:
- Nationals of the European countries using the EES, as well as Cyprus and Ireland
- Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national
- Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card or a residence permit and are immediately related to a non-EU national who can travel throughout Europe like an EU citizen
- Non-EU nationals travelling to Europe as part of an intra-corporate transfer or for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au-pairing
- Holders of residence permits and long-stay visas
- Nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino and holders of a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See
- People exempt from border checks or who have been granted certain privileges with respect to border checks (such as heads of state, accredited diplomats, cross-border workers, etc.).
- People not required to cross external borders solely at border crossing points and during fixed opening hours
- People holding a valid local border traffic permit
- Crew members of passenger and goods trains on international connecting journeys
- People holding a valid Facilitated Rail Transit Document or valid Facilitated Transit Document, provided they travel by train and do not disembark anywhere within the territory of an EU Member State
Diplomats travelling on a short stay may also be exempt from EES registration under certain conditions.
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The exception from registration in the EES also applies to members of the armed forces travelling on NATO or Partnership for Peace business.
Anyone on this list should not register for EES but instead present their exempting documentation to a border guard.
If an EES record is created for them, this should retrospectively be deleted.
