By M10News Travel Desk
British nationals heading to Europe could face longer waits at border control from October, as the EU prepares to launch a new digital system replacing manual passport checks.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin its phased introduction on 12 October, marking a significant change in how visitors are registered when entering and leaving European countries.
Under the scheme, passport stamping will be scrapped and replaced by the collection of biometric data such as fingerprints and photographs. Officials say this will modernise border checks and improve security, though concerns remain over the risk of delays during the rollout.
Where will the system apply?
The EES will cover 25 EU states within the Schengen area, alongside four non-EU countries that participate in the same border-free zone.
The full list includes: 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.
Notably, Ireland and Cyprus will continue to use manual passport stamping, meaning British travellers to those countries will not be affected.
What changes for travellers?
For the first time, visitors from outside the EU – including UK nationals – will be required to register biometric details on arrival.
There are exemptions which are listed here.
The system will then automatically track entries and exits, removing the need for manual checks on passports.
Officials say the process will improve efficiency in the long term while also providing authorities with stronger tools to spot security threats, monitor overstays and combat serious crimes, including terrorism.
Longer waits expected at the border
The UK government has warned that queues at border points are likely to be longer than usual once the system is activated.
Officials estimate each passenger may take several extra minutes to complete registration, particularly during the first months of the rollout.
To help manage the process, the EU border agency Frontex has developed a mobile app that will allow travellers to complete part of their registration in advance. However, fingerprint scans will still need to be taken at the border itself.
The app’s use will be voluntary and left to the discretion of participating countries. The UK government has said that selected entry points across Europe will begin testing the system in late 2025 and 2026.
Despite concerns over early disruption, European officials argue that the system will ultimately reduce waiting times, cut down on paperwork and strengthen the security of Schengen borders.
M10News Travel Desk | Contact: travel@m10news.com
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