(qlmbusinessnews.com . Sun 12th Oct, 2025) London, UK —
EU's Entry/Exit System Rolls Out: Essential Guide for British Tourists Travelling to Schengen Countries
As British travellers ready themselves for jaunts across the Channel to Europe, an imminent change in border controls awaits them. The European Union has announced the phased introduction of its eagerly anticipated, albeit delayed, digital border system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), set to commence this autumn, with the first implementations this Sunday.
Aimed at bolstering security while streamlining the travel process, the EES has, however, sparked concern over potential initial bottlenecks as individuals register their details. The system will digitally monitor the comings and goings of non-EU nationals within the Schengen Zone, a collective of 29 European territories, including Britain's beloved France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece, known for their seamless internal travel.
Under EES, first-time users will be required to submit fingerprints and a photograph, moving away from the traditional passport stamping by border officials. This major overhaul is set to progressively roll out, having been confirmed by the European Commission in July for an October 12 start, with a six-month phased introduction.
Travellers will first encounter the EES based on their European destination and the timing of their journey. Specific to the UK, Dover's coach-bound ferry passengers will embrace the new system on October 12, with other tourist traffic following on November 1. At Eurostar terminals, an initial group of business travellers will pilot the system, gradually expanding to include more passengers over the following months. Similarly, Eurotunnel will adopt a staggered approach from the same date, initially for coach and freight passengers, followed by tourists in cars engaging with automated kiosks toward year's end, though an exact date remains unspecified.
The EES is set to be fully operational at all Schengen border crossings in the participating countries by April 10, 2026. Travellers, including those from the UK, will need to scan their passport and provide biometric data during their initial EES encounter, which can occur either upon arrival at their European destination or prior to leaving the UK for those crossing the English Channel via Dover, Eurotunnel, or Eurostar.
Special kiosks will guide most passengers through the registration process, capturing required details. Children under twelve are exempt from fingerprint provision. Additional inquiries regarding their stay and financial sufficiency may be posed, with Eurotunnel opting for a discretionary border officer approach.
Adjustments have been made at various points of departure. Dover has expanded its facilities to accommodate the new process, and Eurostar has installed multiple kiosks at its London St Pancras terminal. Despite these changes, passports will continue to be manually stamped until the EES's full execution in 2026.
Concerns linger regarding potential delays caused by the additional registration steps, especially at constrained sites like Dover. Yet, officials at key cross-Channel terminals remain optimistic, citing careful planning and phased implementation as mitigating factors against significant disruption.
Additionally, looking forward, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), another visa waiver initiative complementing the EES, is slated for launch at the end of 2026. This system will require non-EU nationals exempt from visa requirements, including UK citizens, to obtain online travel authorisation at a fee, valid for three years. While the launch date remains to be confirmed, this marks another significant shift in EU-UK post-Brexit travel dynamics.
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