Overview
- The EU’s Entry/Exit System has been rolling out since 12 October 2025 and is slated for full operation across all external Schengen borders on 10 April 2026.
- British travellers must provide fingerprints and a photograph on their first entry to create a digital record that remains valid for three years, with simplified checks on subsequent trips.
- The UK Foreign Office says the process may add a few minutes per passenger and advises travellers to be prepared for longer than usual waits at border control.
- Airport organisations have called for an immediate review of the rollout and warn queues for non‑EU passengers could reach up to four hours during peak summer periods.
- Checks at some routes, including the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone and Eurostar at St Pancras, are completed before departure from the UK, and an ETIAS travel authorisation is planned for autumn 2026 with a €20 fee.