A Quick Heads-Up: What the New EU Entry System Means for Your Holidays

Planning a European getaway? As of this week, there’s a new system in place we wanted to give you a heads-up about – the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which went live on October 12th.

It sounds formal, but don’t worry. We’ve dug into the details to keep things simple, so your travels stay completely stress-free.

So, What Is It, Really?

In a nutshell, the EES is a new digital system that replaces the classic passport stamp. Since October 12th, 2025, when you travel to any of the 29 countries in the Schengen area—popular spots like France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal, plus others like Switzerland and Norway—your entry and exit are now logged electronically.

The idea is to improve border security and make crossing in and out of the EU a bit smoother for regular visitors. On your first trip with the new system, you’ll be asked to provide your fingerprints and a facial scan at the border. The brilliant part is that once you’re registered, your details are kept securely on file for three years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). It means for every trip after that, you should be able to breeze through border control much faster. Happy days!

Who Does It Affect?

This new system is for all of us travelling on a UK passport for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). So, whether you're dreaming of a romantic honeymoon in Paris, a luxury villa escape in Tuscany, or an exclusive Alpine retreat, this will apply to you.

There are a few exceptions. If you’re a dual citizen, you can use your EU passport to avoid registering. The system also doesn't apply to UK nationals who hold a valid EU residence permit or a long-stay visa. And for families, it’s good to know that children under 12 won’t need to give their fingerprints, though they will still need a photo taken.

What to Expect on Your Next Trip

We won’t pretend there won’t be some initial teething problems. The first time you register, you’ll be asked for a facial photograph and a scan of four of your fingerprints, so it might take a little longer at the border, especially as we're now in the six-month rollout period.

That’s why we’re already planning for it. For any trip you book with us, we’ll make sure you have all the latest, personal advice and allow plenty of time in your itinerary, so you never feel rushed. To make things smoother, pre-registration kiosks are also planned for major UK departure points, including the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras, the Eurotunnel in Folkestone, and the ferry port at Dover.

What Happens at the Border, Step by Step

How you register for the first time will depend on how you're travelling. We've broken it down to keep it clear:

Travelling by Ferry or Eurotunnel

If you're driving to France, the brilliant news is that the registration is done on the UK side before you even board. Kiosks will be set up at the ports in Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, so you can get it sorted before you set off.

Travelling by Train on Eurostar

It's a similar story for train travel. Your biometrics will be captured at St Pancras International in London as part of the check-in process, meaning you're all set by the time you step on the train to Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam.

Flying to Your Destination

For those jetting off, registration will take place when you land at your destination airport in the Schengen area. Major airports in our favourite spots—like Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, Rome and Venice in Italy, and the key airports for Switzerland's Alpine resorts—will have dedicated EES kiosks to guide you through the process on arrival. This also applies if you're flying into France or any other participating country.

It’s Our Job to Make It Easy

At the end of the day, our purpose is to help you create personal, stress-free holidays you’ll never forget. Navigating new travel rules is a huge part of that. This is just one more detail we’ll be taking care of behind the scenes, ensuring your journey is as seamless as the holiday itself. We’re keeping a close eye on all the updates so we can guide you through it, every step of the way.

So please, keep dreaming about those sun-drenched Spanish beaches and sparkling Italian lakes. Leave the logistics to us.

Fancy an adventure? Our expert team is always here for a chat about your next European holiday.