British travellers are being advised to prepare for incoming EU border checks as the government launches a new awareness campaign around the changes.
Messages advising the British public about the introduction of new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks at the EU border will be shared across government social media channels, by transport operators and on travel websites. Up to date information can also be found on GOV.UK and FCDO’s Travel Aware pages.
From 12 October 2025, the EU will introduce EES for UK and non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay. EES is an automated system that requires travellers to register at the border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken.
EES will be a requirement when entering Schengen area countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. EES will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus.
British travellers will need to register on their first visit to a participating country after the EES is introduced. This registration is valid for a rolling 3-year period or until the passport expires. Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted, but under the new EU rules, all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.
On exit, and for subsequent entries and exits to or from a participating country, travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either their fingerprints or a photograph at the border.
European countries using EES will phase this new system in over 6 months, meaning different ports may have varying requirements until April 2026. This should allow for a gradual implementation that minimises disruption, particularly at peak periods.
For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone, or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK. Efforts to implement a digital system away from the frontier have, to date, proved to be unsuccessful.
Last year, the government provided these juxtaposed ports (Eurostar, St Pancras; Eurotunnel, Folkestone; and the Port of Dover) with £10.5 million of funding to support the introduction of border infrastructure. While EES is an EU system, the government have been working closely with the travel industry, ports, and transport operators to help raise public awareness and understanding of the border changes.
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