Foreign Office issues new rules for anyone entering EU with key date | Europe | Travel

The Foreign Office this afternoon released new rules for Brits planning to enter the EU later this year. The European Union’s (EU) long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) is finally kicking off on October 12, and it means extra paperwork for UK citizens.

The EES will be a slick automated IT system tasked with registering UK visitors, including those with short-stay visas and those exempt from visas, every time they cross into an EU external border.

This high-tech system will record details such as the traveller’s name, travel document type, biometric data (including fingerprints and facial snapshots), as well as the date and place of both entry and exit, all while strictly adhering to fundamental rights and data protection norms.

The Foreign Office said: “From 12 October 2025, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin. This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British nationals travelling to the Schengen area.”

For those jetting to the Schengen zone, here are the countries you’ll need to navigate the new system for: 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, and Switzerland.

Officials said this afternoon: “If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, when you arrive. EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU.”

They also warned: “EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts.”

The Foreign Office has advised that with the introduction of EES, travellers will need to create a digital record on their first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport upon arrival, where they will submit fingerprints and have a photo taken at dedicated booths.

No pre-travel information submission is necessary for those visiting a Schengen area country, but they should anticipate longer queues upon arrival due to the new system.

For individuals entering the Schengen area via the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone, or St Pancras International, biometric information will be collected at the UK border before departure. Upon leaving the Schengen area, travellers may also be required to provide either fingerprints or a photo.

Officials warned: “If you frequently travel to the Schengen area for work and/or leisure purposes, you must ensure that your total stay in the Schengen area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. You must be aware of the penalty and enforcement approach for exceeding the immigration limit in any individual Member State you plan to travel to, or through.

“Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.”

The EU’s introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) aims to bolster border security within the bloc and its neighbours, as well as curb illegal migration by automating border checks and preventing overstays.

The EES is part of broader efforts by the EU to enhance their border security measures. By the end of 2026, the EU anticipates launching the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), although no immediate action is required from travellers.

The EU will announce the specific start date for ETIAS prior to its implementation.

Once ETIAS comes into effect, UK passport holders will need to apply for authorisation before entering Schengen zone countries. This process will involve providing personal details, trip information, and paying a fee of 20 Euros for the authorisation.