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Holidaymakers are being urged by the UK Foreign Office to prepare for a new border control system
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) is advising travellers to get ready for a new border control system that will start operating at airports across Europe from April 10, including popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Portugal and Greece.
The system, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), will require British travellers entering Europe’s Schengen Area to provide their fingerprints and have their photograph taken. The Schengen Area is a passport-free travel zone made up of 29 European countries where there are no internal border checks.
British holidaymakers have also been warned that the new biometric checks may lead to longer queues at border control. The system was initially introduced at some European Union airports in October and is now expected to be fully implemented across all 29 Schengen countries by April.
Several airport organisations have called for the rollout to be reviewed urgently, saying the system is already leading to significant delays. They warned that queues for non-EU passengers could stretch to as long as four hours during the busy summer period, Wales Online reports.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the checks are being introduced gradually at external borders, with full operation expected from April 10, 2026.
Officials from the Foreign Office said the process could add a few extra minutes for each passenger and advised travellers to be prepared for longer than usual waits at border control.
What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
According to the FCDO, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital border control system that launched on October 12, 2025. It changes how British citizens and other non-EU travellers enter and exit the Schengen Area.
EES checks are being introduced in phases with full implementation expected by April 2026. If you hold a UK passport and are travelling to a Schengen country for a short stay, you will need to register your biometric data on arrival.
This includes fingerprints and a photo. Travellers will not need to do anything before they set off on holiday, and there is no cost for registration.
EES will eventually replace manual passport stamping, although passports may still be stamped during the rollout period alongside the new checks.
As each passenger may need a few extra minutes to complete the process, travellers are advised to expect longer waits during busy periods such as school holidays.
First visit to the Schengen Area
On your first trip, you will create a digital record at the airport or port by providing fingerprints and having your photograph taken at dedicated booths. If you are flying, this will usually take place when you arrive at your destination.
If you are travelling via the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle at Folkestone, or Eurostar at St Pancras, the EES checks are carried out before you leave the UK. You will also need to provide a fingerprint or have your photo taken when exiting the Schengen Area.
If you travel frequently for work or leisure, you must ensure that your total time in the Schengen Area does not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.
Each member state enforces this rule and penalties can apply if you overstay. Your digital EES record will remain valid for three years, and during that time you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo upon entry and exit. You can find more information from the FCDO here.
Why EES was introduced
According to the FCDO, the EES is designed to strengthen EU border security and help prevent illegal migration by automating border checks and tracking overstays. It forms part of wider EU measures to improve border control.
From autumn 2026, the EU also plans to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Travellers do not need to take any action yet, and applications should only be made through the official EU website, as other sites may be scams.
Once ETIAS is fully introduced, UK passport holders who do not have a visa or residence permit will need authorisation before entering the Schengen Area. As part of the process, travellers will need to provide personal and trip details and pay a €20 fee.
The EU has already provided more information on ETIAS, including what information will be required for each nationality, on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.
Full list of countries with the new Entry Exit System
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland