From October, UK citizens travelling to and from Europe will encounter changes at borders. The European Union is launching its much-delayed entry-exit system (EES). By April 2026 the process should be complete, transforming the border experience at all crossing points in and out of the Schengen area (comprising the EU except Ireland and Cyprus, plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland).
Travellers will go through the formalities at airports, land borders and ports in the Schengen area on both arrival and departure.
The aims of the EES are:
A year after the entry-exit system roll-out begins, if all goes according to plan the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) will be introduced.
This is the calendar for changes, as well as advice on what to do.
12 October 2025
The EU’s much-delayed entry-exit system starts to be rolled out – but only a small number of UK travellers are likely to be affected on day one.
The European Commission says: “To provide Member States with the necessary time to adjust to the start of operations of the EES, during the first 60 days of the progressive start of operations of the EES, the use of biometric functionalities at border crossing points should not be mandatory.”
Some British travellers to and from the Schengen area will go through a biometric check. On first encounter with the EES, they must provide four of their fingerprints (not required of children under 12) and a facial biometric.
But on day one, most travellers will swerve the formalities for one of two reasons:
Despite some reports, you will not be asked to provide evidence of travel insurance. During and after the roll-out, border officers may ask you for proof of financial resources and evidence that you will leave after a short stay – just as they can do now.
Once you have registered, on subsequent encounters with the entry-exit system you will need only one biometric taken; this is almost certain to be the face.
What to do: Be prepared to provide biometrics and expect longer border queues as a result of “double red tape” – providing biometrics but having your passport stamped as well.
11 November 2025
At least one in 10 of all a nation’s border crossings must be registered.
11 December 2025
Sixty days on from the start, the aim is that at all frontier posts operating the entry-exit system, every traveller has biometrics collected. But there will still be some that are not EES-enabled.
Passports continue to be stamped manually.
10 January 2026
By now, “member states should operate the entry-exit system – with biometric functionalities – at a minimum of half of their border crossing points”. But only 35 per cent of visitors must be EES-registered. This means a country such as Spain, Italy or Greece, with many arrival points by air, need not activate the entry-exit system at the busiest airports – so long at a majority of crossing points are EES-enabled.
11 March 2026
All borders must be biometric enabled and at least half the crossings must be registered on the central database.
31 March 2026
By now, every third-country national should be registered on the way in and out.
9 April 2026
Manual checking and stamping of passports must continue up to and including this date. Assuming that the EES is running flawlessly across Europe, the practice will end at midnight.
9 October 2026 (estimated date)
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) will be launched, but will not be compulsory. This online permit, price €20 (£17), is similar to the US Esta scheme, but valid for longer: three years. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, it will be free.
Initially a six-month grace period will be granted to travellers who neglect to organise an Etias. But even though you won’t legally need one immediately, you might not be allowed on your plane if you fail to show an Etias..
What to do: Get an Etias if you are going to the Schengen area.
9 April 2027 (estimated date)
It will mandatory for prospective UK visitors to have an Etias.
