UK Travellers Face New Biometric Border Checks as EU Rolls Out Entry/Exit System
A major change to EU border control is set to come into force this winter, affecting all UK citizens travelling to Schengen-area countries from late 2025 into 2026. The Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaces passport stamping, will require biometric checks for every non-EU traveller entering the bloc.
What the EES Will Require
Under the new system, UK citizens will undergo:
- Facial image capture
- Fingerprint scans
- Electronic recording of entry and exit dates
This will apply at all Schengen air, land and sea borders, including popular destinations such as France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece and the Netherlands.
Why the EU Is Making This Change
The European Commission says the EES is designed to:
- Improve security and migration monitoring
- Reduce long-term reliance on manual passport stamping
- Streamline future border checks by storing biometric data for rapid verification
The system forms part of a wider digital transformation of EU border management, alongside the upcoming ETIAS travel authorisation, expected in late 2026.
What UK Travellers Should Expect
While the EES is intended to speed up processing in the long term, initial delays are widely anticipated at busy border points such as:
- Calais, Dunkirk and the Channel Tunnel terminals
- Major airports in Spain, France and Italy
- Cruise terminals serving Mediterranean routes
Frequent travellers may benefit from the system once their data is stored, but first-time users should expect longer queues, especially during peak holiday weeks.
Preparing Before You Travel
UK travellers are advised to:
- Allow extra time when catching flights or ferries to the EU
- Carry travel documentation easily accessible for border staff
- Monitor updates from airlines, ferry operators and Eurostar
The EU and carriers are expected to issue step-by-step guidance closer to full rollout.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
With 70,000 monthly readers and 16,000 followers on social media, Be Right Back is your go-to resource for romantic trip ideas and couple activities at home and abroad.