Starting 12 October, passport stamps for travellers entering and exiting the European Union will be replaced by biometric checks under the new Entry/Exit System (EES), EU officials have confirmed. The system, which will roll out across member states over six months until 10 April 2026, aims to enhance border security and streamline checks for non-EU citizens, including UK travellers.
Under the EES, UK nationals and other non-EU citizens will need to provide fingerprints and facial scans alongside passport details at their point of departure, such as airports, ports, or train stations. Dedicated booths will facilitate the process, and the data will be stored for three years, allowing quicker verification on subsequent trips. Travellers with ePassports can use e-gates where available, and there is no cost for registration.
Refusal to provide biometric data will result in denied entry to the EU. For most tourists, digital records will be retained for three years and one day, but those overstaying the 90-day visa-free limit will have their data held for five years.
The transition has sparked concerns about potential delays, with the UK government warning travellers to expect longer waits during peak times, as initial checks may take several minutes. However, the EU insists the system will ultimately reduce border wait times by enabling faster checks and pre-submitted information.
Since Brexit, UK travellers have faced lengthy queues at popular EU destinations due to manual passport checks and stamping. The EES has raised particular concerns for those travelling by car via the Eurotunnel or Dover, where French border checks occur on UK soil. To mitigate delays, passengers at these points will use handheld devices to register biometrics from their vehicles.
A May agreement between the UK and EU allows UK nationals to use EU e-gates once the EES is implemented, provided they are registered. Countries like Germany and Bulgaria already offer e-gate access for UK citizens.
The EES was initially set to launch last November but faced delays due to technical issues. As the rollout begins, travellers are advised to prepare for potential disruptions during the transition period.
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