How European travel is changing from 12 October, and how it affects you

UK travellers face new border rules for trips to Europe from 12 October. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is designed to speed up border crossings, improve security and replace manual passport stamping. It will be gradually rolled out at border crossings in the 29 countries of the Schengen Area and applies to “third-country” travellers – those who don’t have a passport from a country in the EU or the Schengen Area. Travellers are not required to prepare anything for EES registration, but they are advised to allow time for delays on arrival in the Schengen Area. UK travellers (and other “third-country” nationals) must still get their passports stamped on arrival and departure from the Schengen Area until the roll out is complete. Schiphol airport in Amsterdam has said that registration in the EES system takes extra time in an already busy border process. Its website states: “Schiphol is therefore facing a challenge: working with the government to make the registration of many thousands of non-EU passengers each day run as smoothly as possible.” The first EES checks will start this Sunday, and the system will be fully in place by 9 April, 2026. Here’s what you need to know. (Photo: Hinterhaus Productions/Getty).

What is EES?

EES will register non-EU and non-Schengen Area travellers who visit any of 29 European countries for a short stay. It will record a photograph of each traveller’s face and/or their fingerprints and their date of entry and exit of each traveller from the Schengen Area. Fingerprints will not be taken from under-12s. Facial images, fingerprints and data on entries, exits and refusals of entry will be held for three years starting on the date on which they were created. The European Commission has more information on how, and for how long, data will be held. From 10 April, 2026, it will replace manual passport stamping to record travellers’ movements in and out of Schengen. It will be used to check that “third-country” travellers do not remain within the bloc for more than the permitted 90 days within any 180-day period. (Photo: anouchka/Getty).

When does it start and what is the roll-out schedule?

A soft roll out begins on 12 October at select entry points across the Schengen Area. Abta, the Travel Association, has published a guide to the roll out, with these key dates. 12 October launch: At least one border point in each country should operate the new system, increasing to 10 per cent of border points after the first 60 days. January 2026: Half of border points should be operating EES, with at least a third of passengers going through the system. March 2026: All borders are operating EES and taking biometrics, processing at least half of passengers through the system. 10 April 2026: System fully live, with all borders processing all passengers through EES, and taking biometrics. (Photo: Brett Comer/Houston Chronicle via Getty).

How does it work?

“Third-country” travellers will be subject to new border checks when travelling in and out of the Schengen Area. The checks will see a traveller’s data recorded, including a photo of their face and/or a scan of their fingerprints. This data will be taken through dedicated self-service kiosks or, when they are available, partly through mobile applications made available by the Schengen Area country of departure or arrival. Where kiosks are not available, border staff will carry out EES checks. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty).

Which countries will have EES?

It will apply for travel to the 29 countries in the Schengen Area. They are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. (Photo: The i Paper).

Where will it start first?

The phased system will begin on 12 October, and by 10 April 2026, EES will be operational at all border crossing points of the 29 countries. Travellers departing for the Continent from St Pancras International, Dover and via the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone are subject to French border force checks in the EU. EES checks will also take place in the UK. The first EES checks for Eurostar passengers will begin on 12 October, but only business passengers (those with a “Premier” ticket) and frequent travellers will be invited to try the checks. Dover will have a phased rollout starting with EES checks for coach passengers on 12 October. Checks for passengers travelling in private vehicles will begin on 1 November. Eurotunnel’s Folkestone terminal will begin checks on coach and freight passengers on 12 October, with checks coming into effect for all other passengers by the end of the year. (Photo: Nicolas Tucat/AFP).

Which airports will it be rolled out in?

It has been confirmed that EES will start at these airports from 12 October: Germany, where Dusseldorf will be the first airport to start EES checks in Germany. In Greece, Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, and Herakleion airports will launch EES on 12 October. EES will start operating at all Portuguese external border crossing points – airports, seaports and land borders – on 12 October. Biometric data collection will follow a phased approach: it will be carried out at specific periods during the day and gradually scaled up until reaching full-time operation by early March. Meanwhile, Spain’s inaugural EES check will take place with the arrival of a flight landing at Madrid- Barajas-Adolfo Suárez airport on Sunday morning. In Switzerland, Basel and Geneva airports will begin checks on 12 October. Zurich will be next, with checks starting on 17 November. Elsewhere, Czechia, Estonia and Luxembourg have said they are ready to operate EES at all entry points from 12 October. (Photo: Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty).

Will it be rolled out for cruises?

Cruises departing from, and returning to, the UK will not be subjected to the checks, even if passengers disembark at European ports for day trips. If you are flying to a cruise port in the Schengen Area, EES registration will take place at the airport. Eventually, the EES will replace passport stamping. However, during the phased rollout, travellers will still be required to collect passport stamps on arrival and departure from the Schengen Area. (Photo: Getty).

Will I be asked questions at the border?

It is likely there will be queues at border crossings where EES has begun, as airports and passengers get used to the extra checks. “Third-country” travellers may be asked questions when crossing Schengen borders, but this is already part of the Schengen Border Code. Questions could relate to travel plans, where you are staying, finances or medical insurance. EES gives an opportunity for these questions to be asked electronically on kiosks or through an app. It is unclear whether you will be able to use e-gates. Since the end of the Brexit transition period, some EU countries have continued to allow UK passport holders to use e-gates. This should then be followed by a stop for a passport stamp to check that travellers are complying with the 90-in-180-day rule. The UK Government has secured agreements with some EU countries to confirm that UK travellers will be able to use e-gates after EES is in effect. However, this would be in addition to EES checks at dedicated EES kiosks. (Photo: Getty).

Are there any more changes to border rules?

Yes, Etias, the EU’s travel authorisation, will be an entry requirement for most third-country nationals from the last quarter of 2026. The Etias will apply for travel to any of 30 European countries, including: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. The Etias will cost €20 (£17.41), but under-18s and over-70s will be exempt from the fee. Most applications will be processed within minutes. If an application is taking longer to process, travellers will receive a decision within four days. This period could be extended by up to 14 days if additional documentation is required and up to 30 if you are invited for an interview. Travellers will receive an email confirming the submission of an application and another email confirming the outcome of an application. The Etias will be valid for three years or until the passport used in an application expires, whichever comes first. (Photo: Getty).