The UK government has advised British travellers to allow extra time at EU borders this Easter, as the Entry/Exit System (EES) is due to be fully implemented at all EU airports and ports from 10 April 2026.
The EU has been introducing EES gradually since October 2025. It replaces physical passport stamps with a digital record of when non-EU residents enter and leave the Schengen area for a short stay (up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period). The stated aims are to strengthen border security and detect overstayers.
EES is operational in 29 European countries: all EU member states except Ireland and Cyprus, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Each time a non-EU resident enters or exits the Schengen area, their biometrics and passport details are recorded digitally.
British travellers do not need to do anything in advance. Everything takes place at border control on the day of travel, free of charge. At first registration, a photo of the traveller's face is taken and their passport is scanned. Adults and children aged 12 and over also have their fingerprints scanned.
Where registration happens depends on the route. For Eurostar at St Pancras, Eurotunnel LeShuttle at Folkestone and the Port of Dover (the juxtaposed ports), registration takes place before leaving the UK. Otherwise, it happens on arrival in the destination country.
The government says checks should take only a few minutes per person, though longer waits are possible, including on journeys back to the UK. Once registered, travellers need only scan their passport and confirm their identity with a photo or fingerprint scan. Registration is valid for 3 years, or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner.
The UK government has provided £10.5 million to help minimise disruption at the juxtaposed ports, equal to £3.5 million per port.
Exemptions apply to Brits legally resident in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland or the EU, provided they present their residency documents at border control. This includes Withdrawal Agreement residents. UK-EU dual citizens using their EU passport are also exempt. The full list is on the EU's Travel to Europe website.
What this means for applicants
British travellers do not need to do anything in advance of travel; the checks take place at border control on the day, free of charge. They should follow their travel operator's guidance and allow time to complete the checks, particularly if they have connections or onward transport booked. Travellers using Eurostar at St Pancras, Eurotunnel LeShuttle at Folkestone or the Port of Dover are registered at those ports before leaving the UK. Residents of the countries listed above who are exempt must present their residency documents at border control.
Sources
- Entry/Exit System: New EU border checks for Brits this Easter, GOV.UK, 26 March 2026