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

The Entry/Exit System (EES) 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 will with time replace passport stamps and make crossing the EU border quicker. The new system respects the highest standards for data and privacy protection. The EES modernises and improves 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, to the benefit also of partners like the UK.