If affects non-EU citizens, including Brits
The Foreign Office has issued a warning to all Brits travelling to Europe during the winter period. From October 2025, the European Union has started implementing its new Entry/Exit System (EES), which necessitates non-EU citizens, including Brits, to register their biometric data at the border.
This may involve having your facial photograph taken and your fingerprint scanned. This scheme is being rolled out across numerous airports in the Schengen area with the objective of reducing long queues at passport control.
The information collected by the system will be used to create a digital record linked to each traveller’s passport. A large number of countries in the EU have either already implemented the new system, or are in the process of doing so.
The FCDO Travel Advice posted on X: “Travelling to Europe for the winter markets? The EU has introduced new border checks.”
It added: “Your fingerprints and photo may be taken at the EU border.”
However, it’s understood that manual passport stamping will continue alongside EES registration across the Schengen area for the first six months of the scheme’s implementation.
Currently, the following countries will have EES applied to them, according to the EU:.
Additional guidance from the Foreign Office explains: “If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, when you arrive. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.”
However, there’s an exception for those entering a Schengen country via the Port of Dover, St Pancras International, or the Eurotunnel at Folkestone. At these locations, travellers must complete the EES check before departing the UK.
The Foreign Office clarifies: “Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.”
Certain travellers won’t be required to register their biometric information under the new scheme. The EU website states you’re exempt from the system if the following circumstances apply:.
