EU Exit/Entry System Date Confirmed

Travellers Queuing At The Airport. Picture Credit: Canva

The European Union has confirmed that its long-awaited Entry-Exit System (EES) will begin rolling out from 12 October 2025, marking a major change in how British travellers enter and leave EU countries.

The scheme, which has faced repeated delays, will be gradually introduced over a six-month period, with full implementation at all EU borders from 10 April 2026.
 

What is EES?

The EES is an automated IT system designed to register non-EU travellers, including those from the UK, each time they cross an EU border. It will replace the current process of manually stamping passports.

For most travellers, the biggest change will be the requirement to provide fingerprints and facial biometrics the first time they enter the EU after the system is introduced. This data will be stored for three years. Children under 12 will be exempt from fingerprint collection.
The aim is to improve both border security and efficiency, though it may initially add extra time to the travel process, particularly during busy periods.
 

Why the Delay?

Originally planned for a single launch in November 2024, the EES was postponed after concerns from several EU member states, including Germany and France, that the technology needed further testing. The new phased approach allows different countries to adopt the system at different times over the first six months.

This means that while some British travellers heading abroad during the October half-term may already encounter the new biometric checks, others may not see changes until later in the rollout.
 

Industry Reaction

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA, welcomed the confirmation of the start date, saying it allows the travel industry to prepare customers for the changes. He stressed the importance of clear communication from both the EU and UK governments to build traveller confidence.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, echoed the call for smooth implementation, warning that high travel demand during October half-term could lead to delays if border staff are not fully prepared. She noted that, because member states will adopt the system in stages, it is still unclear which destinations will require biometrics first.

Both Tanzer and Lo Bue-Said have urged EU countries to roll out an EES app as soon as possible, allowing travellers to submit information in advance to speed up border processing.
 

What’s Next – and What About Etias?

Once EES is in place, the EU will move on to launching the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) between October and December 2026. Etias will require UK travellers to apply online for travel authorisation before visiting the EU.

The fee for Etias is set to rise sharply before it even launches—from €7 (£6) to €20 (£17)—a move criticised by industry leaders as making European travel less accessible for families, students, and budget-conscious tourists.
 

What Travellers Should Do Now

While the full impact of EES will only be clear once the rollout begins, UK travellers can prepare by:
 

• Allowing extra time at airports and ports during the early stages of implementation.
• Keeping an eye on announcements about which EU countries will introduce the system first.
• Using any official EES app once available to pre-submit required information.

With strong demand for travel in 2025, the new border system is set to be one of the biggest changes to EU travel in years—one that will affect millions of British holidaymakers and business travellers alike.
 

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