By: Stuart Kerr, Travel Correspondent
Published: 05/08/2025 · Updated: 05/08/2025
Contact: editorial@holidaymate.com | About the Author
New Borders, New Tech: What Holidaymakers Need to Know
On 12 October 2025, a new era of border control begins across Europe. The Entry/Exit System, a long-planned biometric registration platform, will officially launch at airports, ferry terminals, and land borders throughout the Schengen Area. For UK and other non-EU travellers, the change marks a significant shift in how visits to Europe are recorded.
Instead of receiving a physical stamp in their passport, travellers will now be subject to biometric data collection — typically a facial image and four fingerprints. The process is designed to speed up border checks, detect overstays, and replace manual passport stamping with automated, digital tracking.
The European Commission confirmed that the rollout will begin in October 2025, with full operational status expected by April 2026.
This move is part of a wider EU border management strategy to improve security and efficiency. The EES will apply to all non-EU nationals, including those from visa-exempt countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Canada. Those travelling on ETIAS authorisations will also pass through EES checks.
What Is the EES and Why Is It Being Introduced?
The Entry/Exit System is a digital border control mechanism that replaces manual stamping with an electronic log of entries and exits. Every time a non-EU traveller crosses a Schengen border, their biometric data and passport details will be scanned and securely stored.
According to ABTA, this process is intended to reduce waiting times and cut down on errors in tracking how long someone has spent in Europe.
Currently, non-EU citizens are allowed to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The new system will automatically track these allowances without relying on physical stamps.
Who Does It Affect and How Will It Work?
For UK citizens, the EES will affect both short holidays and frequent trips across the Channel. At ports and airports, travellers will be directed to automated gates or staffed booths where biometric information will be collected. In most cases, this will include a one-time fingerprint scan and live facial recognition.
The Council of the EU PDF confirmed that EES kiosks will become mandatory at all Schengen external borders, including popular holiday arrival points like Charles de Gaulle, Madrid-Barajas, Rome Fiumicino, and major ferry terminals in France, Spain, and Italy.
Children under the age of 12 will only have their facial image taken. Older travellers and those with mobility issues will be able to use assisted border clearance lanes.
Travellers entering via ferry or rail terminals — such as Eurotunnel or Dover-Calais — can also expect these procedures to apply. However, local logistics may differ depending on terminal readiness.
Concerns Around Delays and Privacy
One concern raised by both border staff and traveller advocacy groups is the potential for longer queues during the early months of implementation. Since biometric data must be collected at the first point of entry, there may be temporary congestion until systems and users adapt.
Training and infrastructure rollouts are ongoing, with flexibility planned through early 2026 to minimise disruption.
From a privacy standpoint, the data collected under the EES will be retained for three years and will be accessible to EU border and migration authorities. The full legal framework is detailed in EU Regulation 2017/2226 PDF, which outlines the scope, limits, and safeguards of data use.
According to the European Commission, data protection is governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and travellers retain rights to request access to their records.
What You Should Do Before Travelling
The best way to prepare is to allow extra time at departure and arrival points, especially in the first few months after the October 2025 launch. Families or those with additional needs should check whether their departure port offers assisted support.
Check that your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your departure date, as EES will automatically flag documents that don’t meet entry rules.
It is also advisable to pre-check EES updates from official sources like ABTA or the European Commission to stay informed.
The Future of Border Travel in Europe
The Entry/Exit System marks a foundational shift in how Europe manages tourism and mobility. While the initial rollout may bring minor inconvenience, the long-term goal is to create a border process that is faster, fairer, and more secure.
As Europe balances open tourism with modern border demands, systems like EES are likely to become the new norm. And for holidaymakers, it means adapting to a future where passport stamping becomes a thing of the past.
About the Author
Stuart Kerr writes about travel, tourism, and mobility across Europe for Holidaymate.com. You can reach him at editorial@holidaymate.com. Read more of his work here.
