The Foreign Office (FCDO) has issued new travel advisories for all countries in the Schengen Zone ahead of the full implementation of the new European Union Entry/Exit System (EES).
It said: “The EU’s new EES is being rolled out.
“EES checks are being introduced in a phased way across external borders, with full operation expected from 10 April 2026.
“This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo.
“You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.”
The FCDO clarified that on a first visit into a Schengen country, visitors might be asked to register their details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk.
“Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry,” it said. “You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.
“EES may take each passenger a few minutes extra to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.
“Until EES is fully rolled out, your passport will continue to be stamped, even if you’ve already been registered for EES.
“Once EES is fully rolled out, it will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays and you will input biometric details every time you enter or exit.”
UK passport holders entering the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International will be asked to register for EES before leaving the UK.
A digital EES record is valid for three years, so tourists who revisit the Schengen area within this period will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border on entry and exit.
