EU issues major border update for UK travellers

26th July 2025

Europe's much-delayed entry-exit system (EES) will begin to apply to some travellers from the UK to the EU on 12 October this year.

The scheme will connect all Schengen area frontiers to a central database.

The aim is to digitise border crossings so that the comings and goings of non-EU citizens can be more closely monitored. It will help to identify suspected criminals and to police the limit on stays of 90 days in any 180 days that applies to UK and other nationalities.

The newly declared date means some British passport holders heading away for October half-term holidays will need to give fingerprints and facial biometrics.