Travel to Europe – a new system comes for non-EU nationals

The Entry/Exit System (EES) kicked in as of 12 October 2025 and is being introduced gradually. It is an advanced technological system that records entry and exit of non-EU nationals travelling to 29 European countries of the Schengen area: 25 EU member states as well as Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland. 

Non-EU travellers from the UK travelling to the EU will first encounter the new system when entering the Schengen area, which could take place at an EU / Schengen port or airport, or at one of the UK ports where France is carrying out entry checks on UK soil (in the port of Dover, at St Pancras Eurostar terminal in London, or at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone). 

The EES provides simplified and automated border procedures, which, when fully operational, will reduce the time needed to cross the EU border. It will gradually replace passport stamping. The new system respects the highest standards for data and privacy protection, ensuring that travellers' personal data remain protected and secure. The EES will modernise and improve the management of EU external borders. It will provide reliable data on border crossings, systematically detect travellers who over-stay and capture document and identity fraud. The EES will contribute to preventing irregular migration and protecting the security of the European Union. 

Member States are introducing the EES gradually over a period of six months. Border authorities will progressively register the data of third country nationals crossing the borders. At the end of this six-month period, the EES will be fully deployed at all border crossing points.