Europe’s Entry/Exit System - new fingerprint border checks for 2026 trips

Worried about reports that Europe will start fingerprinting visitors at the border? You are not alone. If you are planning a 2026 trip to Europe, you may have heard that entry procedures are changing, with talk of fingerprints, facial scans, and new self-service kiosks.

It can sound daunting, but there is no need for alarm because these updates are part of a new EU system designed to modernize border control rather than discourage tourism. This guide explains clearly what Europe’s new Entry and Exit System is and why it is being introduced. It covers who it applies to, when it starts, and what you can expect when crossing a Schengen Area border in 2025 or 2026.

You will learn how the fingerprint and photo checks work in practice, how much extra time they may add to your airport or ferry arrival, and what steps you can take to prepare. By the end, you will know exactly what to expect at the border so you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about the new procedures. As of December 2025, the information in this guide reflects the latest official EU updates, though it is wise to check for any last minute changes before you travel.

What the EU Entry/Exit System is in simple terms

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new EU-wide digital border system that will replace the old passport-stamping process for non-EU visitors. In a nutshell, EES will record each time you enter or leave the Schengen Area on a short stay, and it will link your entry/exit record with your fingerprints and a photo of your face.

Instead of a border guard manually stamping your passport, an electronic system will log the date and place you crossed the border, along with your biometric ID. This automated database will let authorities instantly see how long you’ve stayed in Europe and whether you’ve overstayed the 90-day limit, all while verifying that you are really the passport holder via fingerprint and facial recognition.

Importantly, EES is not a visa or a new travel permission – it’s a record-keeping system. The main goal is to modernize border management for security and convenience: catching those who do overstay or use fake identities, but also making it easier for law-abiding travelers to cross borders quickly in the future.

EU officials stress that the system was built with privacy in mind, storing data securely and in line with European data protection laws. For most tourists and business visitors, EES shouldn’t be seen as something scary – it’s essentially an IT upgrade to replace ink stamps with a high-tech, more accurate record.

• What EES does:
  • Replaces manual passport stamping with a digital record of each visitor’s entry and exit.
  • Scans and stores your biometric data (fingerprints and a facial image) along with your passport details on your first entry.
  • Automatically counts your days in the Schengen Area to help enforce the 90-days-in-180-days limit and alert authorities to overstays.
  • Enables more self-service and automated border checks (e.g. electronic gates and kiosks), which in time can make crossing the border faster and smoother for travelers.
• What EES doesn’t do:
  • It doesn’t require any advance registration or fee before your trip – you can’t “apply for EES” ahead of time, as the process happens at the border.
  • It doesn’t change the rules on how long you can stay in Europe or who needs a visa. The 90-day limit in 180 days is still the same; EES just tracks it more accurately. If you needed a visa before, you still need one – and if you didn’t, EES doesn’t mean you now need a visa.
  • It is not the same as ETIAS (the EU’s planned travel authorization system) and doesn’t replace it – more on that later.
  • It won’t deny entry to legitimate travelers who comply with the rules. EES is a security tool to record and verify travelers, not a program to reject ordinary tourists. As long as you meet the normal entry conditions (valid passport, return ticket, etc.), EES biometric checks are just a new part of the screening process, not an extra hurdle to qualify to visit.

When EES starts and who it applies to

Timeline: After several delays, the Entry/Exit System officially launched on October 12, 2025. However, it didn’t switch on everywhere overnight. The EU opted for a gradual rollout over about six months. From that October start date, countries began introducing the system at select airports, land crossings, and ports, then expanding to more and more border posts.

This phased approach means you might or might not encounter EES in late 2025 depending on which border you cross – but by April 10, 2026, all external Schengen border points are slated to be using EES for every non-EU traveler. In other words, by spring 2026 the old passport stamps should be fully replaced by the new digital checks across Europe’s Schengen Area.

As of December 2025, these are the planned dates (with full EES implementation expected by April 2026 ), but remember that this schedule could still shift. EES has already been postponed multiple times from its original 2022 target, so it’s wise to stay tuned to official updates as your trip approaches.

Who must go through EES: The new system applies to “third-country” travelers on short visits – in plain language, that’s anyone from outside the EU/Schengen coming for up to 90 days (tourism, business, family visits, etc.). If you hold a passport from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, etc., and you’re entering the Schengen zone, you will be subject to EES checks.

For example, British citizens (now that the UK is non-EU) will have to register their fingerprints and photo on their first trip to Europe after EES goes live. The same goes for Americans, Canadians, and all other non-EU nationals who previously just got a passport stamp – those stamps will now be digital, with biometrics attached.

Importantly, EES covers both visa-exempt visitors and those who need a short-stay visa. So even if you traveled on a Schengen visa (say from India, China, or other countries requiring visas), your entry/exit will be logged in EES – though in many such cases the fingerprints you gave for your visa might be re-used so you won’t be fingerprinted twice in a short span.

Who is not affected: If you are an EU citizen or a citizen of Schengen-associated countries (Norway, Switzerland, etc.), EES does not apply to you – you will continue to use the EU/EEA lanes with your passport/ID as before (and no fingerprints required).

Likewise, legal residents of an EU country (holding a residence permit or long-term visa) are exempt from EES when entering that country or the Schengen Area. For instance, a Canadian who lives in France with a residence card or a Brit with settled status in Spain would not be treated as a “visitor” and would not go through the EES visitor process (they’d show their residence card instead).

Ireland and Cyprus are notable exceptions in Europe – neither is in the Schengen Area, so travel to those countries does not involve EES checks (Ireland, in particular, has its own travel area with the UK). And finally, children and minors will go through border control under EES if they are non-EU nationals, but with one key difference: kids under 12 years old will not have their fingerprints taken (only a photo is required).

What actually happens at the border with EES

So what can you expect when you reach a European border crossing under the new system? The process will be a bit different – especially the first time you enter after EES is activated. Here’s a step-by-step look at what typically happens:

• Approach the border control area: Whether you arrive at an airport immigration checkpoint, drive up to a land border booth, or walk off a ferry, you’ll head to the passport control zone as usual. Travelers subject to EES will generally use the “All passports” or “Non-EU” lanes (some airports might have signs specifically for EES processing). In many locations, you’ll soon find self-service kiosks in the passport control area. These kiosks look a bit like ATMs or touchscreen booths; they are there to streamline the new data collection. If kiosks are available, a border officer will direct you to one; if not, a border officer will handle the process directly at their desk with portable fingerprint scanners and cameras.

• Scan your travel document: The first step is scanning your passport (or travel document) into the system. At a kiosk, you’ll follow on-screen prompts to insert or place your passport for electronic reading. If an officer is doing it, you’ll hand over your passport and they will scan the machine-readable zone. This pulls up your personal details (name, passport number, nationality, etc.) and checks if you’ve been registered in EES before. If it’s your first EES encounter, the system will move to enroll you. If you’ve visited after EES launch already, it will retrieve your existing record for update.

• Provide your fingerprints and facial photo: For a first-time visitor, EES will collect biometric identifiers to attach to your file. This means you’ll be asked to place your fingers on a scanner to capture fingerprints, and to look into a camera for a live photo. Most kiosks will guide you with illustrated instructions (e.g. which hand’s fingers to place) and confirm successful capture. Typically, the system takes four fingerprints (usually four fingers of one hand) rather than all ten , since four are deemed sufficient for identity matching. You might see a prompt on-screen and a green light when fingerprints are captured. The camera will take your facial image – basically a passport-style photo – so you may need to remove any mask, hat or sunglasses briefly. For children under 12, no fingerprints will be taken, but a photo will still be captured for the record. The process is quick, but young kids might need a parent’s help to stand correctly for the camera. (Border officers are on hand to assist families, and some kiosks have adjustable cameras.)

• Answer any basic questions: In most cases, the automated system will also ask the standard entry questions either via the kiosk screen or an officer. These may include confirming your travel purpose, length of stay, and accommodation address – information you might recall being asked by a border guard in the past. This isn’t a new requirement, but with EES, some countries might pose these questions through the kiosk interface rather than verbally. For example, you could be prompted to input or verify the address of where you’ll be staying, or an officer might ask you to state it. Make sure you have details like your hotel booking or host’s address handy, just in case. In addition, the system will automatically check databases (e.g. to ensure you haven’t overstayed on a previous visit or been flagged for any security issues). This all happens in the background within a few seconds.

• Verification and entry: Once your biometrics are collected and the entry is logged, the system will either verify you on the spot or a border officer will finalize the check. The facial scan may be used to instantly match you against the photo just taken or the one in your passport. If everything checks out, your EES entry record is created in the database, and you are allowed to pass through into the country. You will no longer receive a passport stamp (once EES is fully implemented) – instead, the entry is recorded digitally. During the initial rollout period (late 2025 to early 2026), some travellers got stamps in addition to EES registration (as a fallback), but after April 2026 stamps should disappear for EES-subject visitors. Don’t be alarmed if your passport remains unstamped – the EES record has legally replaced it.

• Exiting the Schengen Area: EES will also log when you leave. The exit process is generally faster. When you depart Europe (for instance, flying home or taking a ferry out), you will go through exit passport control. The system will pull up your file and verify your identity, usually by a quick face scan or possibly a fingerprint check. This confirms that you are the same person who entered and allows EES to record your exit date and location. If you’ve stayed within your allowed time, the exit will close out your visit record. If you overstayed (stayed beyond 90 days without a visa, for example), EES will automatically flag that in the system. (Overstays can lead to questions or even penalties – more on that in the FAQ.) After this, you’ll be on your way; as with entry, no stamp will be given, since the system now has the info logged digitally.

• Subsequent trips: Once you’ve done the full EES enrollment on your first trip, the process on later visits will be quicker. You will not have to re-submit all fingerprints each time. EES keeps your biometric record for at least three years after your last trip , so when you return within that period the system already knows your fingerprints and photo. Typically, on future entries you’ll just scan your passport and do a face scan for verification. The facial recognition will match you to the stored record. In some cases, a fingerprint check might be used as an extra verification (for instance, if the camera image isn’t clear), but it should be a one-finger quick scan, not the full ten-finger procedure. Essentially, your biometric “profile” in EES expedites repeat crossings – one of the aims of the system is to speed up border checks for frequent travelers once they’re enrolled. Keep in mind: if you get a new passport issued, that will count as a “new travel document” in EES, and you may have to re-enroll the biometrics under that new passport for the system (since EES links data to your passport number). But as long as you travel on the same document within three years, re-entry is generally a faster, one-step biometric check.

Variations by border point: The core requirements (passport scan, biometrics, etc.) are the same at airports, land borders, and seaports, but the setup can differ. Major international airports are deploying EES self-service kiosks and eGates to handle large volumes efficiently.

You might do the kiosk steps first, then see a border officer for a quick final check and any questions. At smaller airports or land crossings, you might interact directly with a border police officer who has a tablet or fingerprint scanner – you could be asked to step out of your car at a land border to provide fingerprints, for example.

Speaking of which, if you’re driving into Schengen Europe (say via a ferry or the Eurotunnel from the UK), be prepared for a bit of extra formality: in places like the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal, travelers in vehicles will need to get out of the car and use a special EES kiosk or booth to register. This is a change from the past, where you might have stayed in your vehicle during passport inspection.

Officials have built new processing areas (e.g. a dedicated site at Dover’s Western Docks) to accommodate car passengers stepping aside to enroll. It might feel cumbersome the first time, but staff will be there to guide you. After completing the process (which only takes a few minutes per person), you’ll return to your car or continue on your way.

Remember, every EES check is overseen by border officers – you’re not left alone at a machine if something goes wrong. If the tech acts up or you’re confused by the steps, an officer will step in to assist or complete your registration manually.

Overall, expect your first EES experience to be similar to a modern airport kiosk immigration check, with a couple of extra steps like fingerprints. It’s wise to budget a bit more time and patience for these new procedures (we’ll talk about queue times next), but with the understanding that this mostly happens once.

Subsequent trips should feel closer to the old routine – possibly even faster than before, especially at automated e-gates, since you won’t be waiting for a passport stamp.

How much longer Schengen border crossings may take

One big question on travelers’ minds is how EES will affect waiting times at airports and other borders. Adding fingerprints and photos sounds like it could slow things down, at least initially.

The honest answer: you should plan for some extra time, especially during the early phase of EES rollout and busy travel periods, but it may not be as bad as some headlines suggest. Let’s break down what officials and travel industry experts expect:

• A few extra minutes per person: Multiple authorities have indicated that the new checks will add time for each traveler – particularly the very first time you’re enrolled. The UK government, for example, has warned that EES “may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete” at the border. French airport officials have similarly advised passengers to allow a little more time for passport control because capturing biometrics can “add a few minutes” to the process. If an immigration check used to take, say, 30 seconds or a minute per person when just stamping a passport, now the fingerprint scanning and photo might make it 2–3 minutes. That doesn’t sound huge, but multiply it by hundreds of passengers on a flight and lines could move notably slower.

• Worst-case early bottlenecks: The potential for delays is highest in the initial months of EES and at particularly busy crossings (especially land borders). Because EES is new, many travelers will be going through the longer first-time process at the same time. For instance, take the Channel crossings between the UK and France: port authorities have been concerned about processing carloads of holidaymakers who all need to enroll. The Port of Dover’s chief executive noted that initially it could take up to six times longer to process each car full of passengers compared to the old method. That is a striking figure (imagine a 2-minute stop per car turning into 12 minutes). The good news is that was a cautious estimate; real-world results may be better, and steps are being taken to mitigate this (like adding many kiosks and staffing up). Still, if you’re driving or taking a ferry during a peak weekend right after EES launches, be prepared for some delays. Officials even decided to postpone the introduction of tourist EES checks at Dover until after the 2025 Christmas travel rush to avoid huge queues. This shows they are aware of the challenge and are phasing it in carefully.

• Phased rollout to manage queues: One reason the EU staggered the rollout is to avoid nightmare queues at airports and borders. Only a portion of border booths are adding EES initially, and if lines start backing up too much, border police have the flexibility to temporarily revert to simpler checks. In fact, EU regulations allow border officials to suspend the biometric processing briefly if wait times become excessive – essentially, they could wave people through with just an old-fashioned passport check for a short period to clear a heavy backlog. This isn’t a long-term strategy, but it’s a fallback to prevent hours-long standstills. So far, early reports from airports that started EES in late 2025 have not shown chaos – many are managing with slight delays, and travelers are adapting to the kiosks.

• Airports vs. land crossings: Large international airports are arguably best positioned to handle EES smoothly. Many have installed dozens of self-service kiosks and trained extra staff to assist passengers. Airports like Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, etc., often handle biometric checks for other programs (like e-passport gates) already, so they have experience. You might still face a longer wait in the immigration hall if multiple flights arrive at once, but airports are trying to minimize the impact – for example, Nice Airport in France plans to have self-service EES kiosks operational by early 2026 to “save time during checks”. Land and sea ports, on the other hand, present more logistical challenges. Places like Dover, Eurotunnel Folkestone, and the Eurostar terminals had to build new facilities because previously, car or train travelers had no need to leave vehicles or deal with kiosks. The process of unloading a bus or car of tourists to use a fingerprint booth naturally takes more time than an officer reaching into a window to stamp passports. Even with efficient systems, it’s likely that car and coach traffic will move slower through border controls in the beginning. Travel organizations have warned of “longer waits at busy times” on road crossings until things smooth out. If you’re on a tight schedule, consider avoiding peak weekend afternoons at major land borders in the initial months of EES.

• Improvement over time: The silver lining is that the delays should diminish after the initial surge of enrollments. Each traveler only needs full fingerprinting once every few years. So after millions of repeat visitors get registered in 2025–26, more and more people in the border queues will be “known” to the system and can be processed faster (just a face match). Additionally, both travelers and border staff will get used to the new routines. By late 2026, officials expect that EES will actually speed up many crossings via automation, compared to the old manual methods. Automated eGates can move people through quickly once they’re enrolled, and there will be no more fumbling for blank passport pages to stamp. The EU Commission has been fairly optimistic, even at launch, stating they are “confident there will not be significant disruption” due to the gradual approach. In reality, we can anticipate some disruption, but it should be a temporary learning curve rather than a permanent travel nightmare.

Practical tips: For your 2026 trip, it’s smart to build in a time cushion around border crossings. If flying, consider arriving at the airport a bit earlier than you normally would (especially if you have to go through immigration on arrival).

If you have a connecting flight in Europe that involves entering Schengen (e.g. landing in Paris from the US then catching a flight to Italy), give yourself a longer layover than you might have pre-EES, as passport control lines could move slower. For land/sea travel – like the Eurostar train from London or ferries across the Channel – avoid cutting it close with schedules.

In late 2025, the British government explicitly advised travelers to allow more time for their journeys as the new EU systems bed in. That advice will remain valid into 2026: arrive earlier, expect the unexpected, and carry some patience. Try not to schedule something immediately after your planned arrival in case you’re held up at the border a little longer.

Also, if you can choose when to travel, you might avoid the very first big holiday waves with EES. The Easter 2026 period is anticipated to be a major test, as many families from outside Europe will be encountering the system for the first time.

If you’re worried, traveling slightly before or after such peak periods could mean fewer first-timers in line and a quicker process for you. But if you must travel during a peak, just go in knowing lines may be longer and plan accordingly.

EES will likely add a bit of wait time at the border in early 2026 – but with preparation and patience, it should be manageable. After your first experience, the system should remember you, and subsequent trips will feel easier.

EES and ETIAS - what is the difference?

It’s easy to get confused between the various new EU travel initiatives, so let’s clarify EES vs. ETIAS. These are two separate systems, both part of the EU’s effort to modernize borders, but they serve different purposes and timelines:

• EES (Entry/Exit System) is what we’ve been discussing – the biometric entry/exit registration at the border itself. You do not apply for EES; it’s done automatically when you cross the border, and it applies to all non-EU visitors (visa-free or visa-required) on short stays. EES is about recording your trips and biometrics each time you enter or leave Schengen. It’s essentially an IT system used by border guards to log travelers.

• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an entirely separate program that is expected to start later, currently projected in late 2026. ETIAS will be a pre-travel online authorization, similar to the U.S. ESTA or Canada’s eTA. It will only affect visa-exempt travelers (for example, citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and many others who don’t need a visa for Europe). Once ETIAS is in effect, those travelers will need to fill out an online application and pay a fee (about €20) before their trip. You’d do this from home via a website or app, likely provide some personal data and answer security questions, and get an approval (typically within minutes, or up to 30 days in some cases). The ETIAS approval will be valid for three years or until your passport expires.

In simpler terms: EES = physical border process, ETIAS = electronic travel pass you obtain beforehand. They will work hand-in-hand eventually – when you arrive at the border in the future, the guard will check that you have a valid ETIAS (if required) and then register you in EES.

But importantly, ETIAS has not started yet as of 2025. The EU has confirmed that you won’t need an ETIAS authorization for any travel in 2025 or the first half of 2026. The plan is to launch ETIAS after EES is fully up and running; current estimates put ETIAS go-live toward end of 2026.

For your planning: if you’re traveling in 2026 before ETIAS kicks in, you only need to deal with EES at the border – there’s no online application or fee required beforehand for EES. If your trip is in late 2026 or beyond, keep an eye on ETIAS news.

It means that in addition to the normal passport and (if needed) visa, visa-free visitors will have to get that travel authorization in advance. But again, ETIAS is essentially a quick security check and small fee, not a full visa process. The EU has likened it to the US ESTA system.

To avoid confusion:

• EES = You’ll experience it during your journey (at border control), with biometric checks.
• ETIAS = You’ll experience it before your journey (online application), likely starting in 2026, and it’s more about permission to travel rather than the act of border crossing.

Both systems are part of the EU’s broader strategy to tighten external border security without reintroducing internal borders. For now, if you’re planning a trip in 2025 or early-to-mid 2026, focus on EES, since that’s what you’ll encounter.

We will note in this article whenever ETIAS becomes relevant, but the two shouldn’t be mixed up: one doesn’t replace the other, and having an ETIAS (when it comes) won’t exempt you from EES – you’ll eventually need to have both. But that’s a topic for a future trip; in 2026, ETIAS will just be on the horizon.

What EES means for your 2026 trip planning

With the policy details covered, let’s translate this into practical trip planning advice. How should you adjust your plans (if at all) because of EES? Here are some key considerations for travelers coming to Europe in 2026:

• Time management is key: As mentioned, build in extra time for border crossings. If you’re flying into a Schengen country, don’t schedule a tight onward connection or pickup right after landing – give yourself a comfortable buffer in case immigration takes longer than it used to. If you’re departing via a ferry or train that involves outbound border control (like the Eurostar from London to Paris), arrive earlier than you normally might to account for the new checks before boarding. Especially during the first year of EES, err on the side of caution with timing. It’s easier to spend a few extra minutes at a cafe on the other side than to miss a flight or train because the line was slow.

• First trip will be the slowest: If your 2026 journey is the first time you encounter EES, that’s when you’ll go through the full fingerprinting and photo enrollment. Mentally (and logistically) prepare for that initial entry to take a bit longer. If you’re a frequent traveler who might make multiple trips to Europe, consider that after you get the first EES registration done, later trips within the next few years should be faster. In practical terms, if you have a business trip in early 2026 and a big family vacation in summer 2026, you’ll benefit by getting “in the system” on the first trip – your summer holiday entry might then be quicker since you’ll be a returning visitor. (Of course, don’t plan a trip solely for that reason, but it’s a small silver lining.)

• Prepare your travel party: If you’re traveling with family or a group, make sure everyone knows what to expect. Kids might need a gentle explanation that a friendly officer will take their picture at the border, or that they might see a machine that scans their fingers (for older kids). It could help to practice with young children – e.g. have them press their fingers on a smartphone to mimic a scanner, or practice taking a clear photo without smiling or squirming. This can reduce any anxiety or fussing when it happens for real. For elderly travelers or those with limited mobility, be aware that at some ports (like Dover or the Eurotunnel) they may have to exit vehicles to use a kiosk. Allow extra assistance and time for this if needed. The key is that nobody should be surprised that fingerprints or photos are required – make it part of your travel checklist (the same way you’d remind everyone to keep passports ready).

• Stay informed about your route: The EES rollout might not be uniform on every single border crossing from day one. By 2026 it should cover all, but there could still be differences in implementation. Check your departure airport or port’s website a week or two before you go – many have sections explaining the new EES process if they’ve implemented it. For example, some airports might say which terminals have kiosks, or ferry terminals might give instructions for drivers. If you’re flying with a major airline, keep an eye on their travel advisories; airlines have been updating passengers on EES-related changes (like urging early airport arrival). Being informed will make the process less stressful because you’ll know what to do and where to go.

• Keep documents up to date: This isn’t new, but it’s worth a reminder: ensure your passport meets the validity rules for Europe before your trip. Schengen countries generally require your passport to be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date (and to be issued within the last 10 years) – this was true before EES and remains true. If your passport doesn’t meet those criteria, you could be denied boarding or entry regardless of EES. So check expiry dates well in advance. EES itself doesn’t change passport validity rules, but it will definitely catch if a passport is expired or invalid.

Finally, let’s maintain some perspective: EES is a big change behind the scenes, but the fundamental travel experience – visiting Europe’s cities, sights, and cultures – remains as welcoming as ever.

The system is intended to enhance security and accuracy, not to discourage visitors. With a bit of extra planning and patience in 2026, you can navigate the new procedures without issues. To keep the tone balanced, here’s a quick rundown of positives vs. cautions as you plan:

• Good news:
  • Your passport will no longer get cluttered with Schengen entry/exit stamps (useful if you travel a lot).
  • Once you’re registered in EES, border crossings should become more efficient, especially at automated gates – potentially even faster than the old manual checks in the long run.
  • EES will automatically tally your days in Europe, helping ensure you don’t accidentally overstay the 90-day limit (no more counting stamp dates in your head). There’s a clarity now – you can even request info on your recorded stays if needed.
  • The system adds an extra layer of identity verification, which can make travel safer for everyone (for instance, it can help detect people traveling under someone else’s identity or catch those with flagged security risks before they enter). As an ordinary tourist, you benefit from a more secure environment without any new paperwork on your part.
• Things to watch out for:
  • Expect longer waits at popular border points during the initial implementation, and plan accordingly (patience will be required).
  • There could be technical teething problems – maybe a fingerprint scanner doesn’t read well on a cold day at an outdoor border, or a kiosk interface confuses people at first. Minor glitches are possible in early days, though backup processes (and human officers) are there to step in.
  • While you don’t have to register in advance, keep an ear out for any optional programs. For instance, EU authorities have discussed a mobile app for pre-registering some data to speed up EES at the border. If such an app becomes widely available and you’re tech-savvy, it might save you time. It’s not mandatory at all, just something to watch for as a potential convenience.
  • Privacy concerns: It’s natural to wonder about handing over fingerprints and face scans. The data will be stored in a Europe-wide database. EU officials emphasize strong data protection and limited access (only border agencies and law enforcement for specific purposes) – Europe has strict privacy laws. That said, if you’re uncomfortable with biometric data, know that refusing to provide it isn’t an option (it would mean you can’t enter, as we’ll note in the FAQ). On balance, millions of people already give fingerprints for visas or trusted traveler programs globally, and EES is in line with those practices. Just be aware your data will be held for some years (then deleted if you don’t return).

The vast majority of travelers will still enter Europe smoothly – just with a new high-tech twist. A little preparation (time management, understanding the process) will go a long way to making your 2026 trip as enjoyable as any other.

Step by step: what to do at the border

To make things extra clear, here’s a simple checklist for handling the new EES checks on your trip. You can even screenshot or save this list for reference:

Before you go: Ensure your passport is valid for the required period (at least 3 months beyond your return date from the EU). No advance application or registration is needed for EES – you don’t need to do anything online or pay any fee beforehand.

However, if you’re traveling visa-free from late 2026 onward, remember you will need to get an ETIAS authorization before your trip (not applicable in early 2026). If you’ve traveled to Europe since EES began (after Oct 2025) and gave your fingerprints already, there’s nothing special you need to carry for EES – the info is stored on the EU side.

Just have your passport and travel documents as usual. It’s also a good idea to know your itinerary details (address of your first night’s accommodation, how long you plan to stay, return ticket info) in case you’re asked at the border.

At departure (if leaving from a juxtaposed border): This point mainly concerns travelers taking the train or driving from the UK into Europe, or any situation where you go through EU border control before leaving your country. If you’re flying directly into Europe, you can skip this.

For those departing via, say, London St Pancras (Eurostar), Folkestone Eurotunnel, or Dover ferry port, you will encounter French (Schengen) border control on the UK side. Follow the signs for border control early – at St Pancras, for example, you clear exit/entry checks before boarding the train.

Be ready to use an EES kiosk or follow officers’ instructions at these points. If driving via Eurotunnel or ferry, you will likely be directed to park in a designated area to do the biometric enrollment. Be prepared to step out of your car or coach with your travel documents for this process. It might feel unusual, but it’s now part of leaving the UK for the Continent.

Build in extra time before your scheduled departure (trains won’t wait if you’re stuck in a border queue). Once you’ve completed the check here, you generally won’t have to redo it on arrival in France – you’ll arrive as if you’ve already entered Schengen.

On arrival in Europe (for most air travelers): When you land in your destination country (or first Schengen country you enter), head to immigration as normal. Have your passport ready and do any arrival card if required (Schengen usually doesn’t have landing cards for visa-free visitors).

At the border booth or kiosk, stay attentive to the instructions. If it’s a self-service kiosk: follow the prompts to scan your passport, then place your fingers when indicated and look at the camera for your photo. The machine might ask you to confirm details or answer a question (some have touchscreens with Yes/No questions, as seen in demonstrations).

If you’re unsure at any point, signal an officer – they are there to help. If you go directly to an officer, they will guide you: they might say “four fingers of right hand, please” or gesture for you to look at a camera. Provide any info asked (like “What is the purpose of your visit?” – answer truthfully with tourism, business, etc., as you always would).

Once done, the officer will let you know you’re all set. Collect your passport and go enjoy your trip! Remember that you likely won’t get a passport stamp if EES is in full effect – you can ask if you’re unsure, but it’s normal now not to have one.

During your stay: There’s nothing special you need to do regarding EES while traveling around Schengen countries. You won’t notice EES at all while moving between Schengen countries (since those internal borders have no checks). Just keep track of your days to stay within the 90-day limit.

EES is tracking them too, but it’s good practice to be aware of your schedule. If you approach the 90-day-in-180 limit, ensure you exit on time; overstaying could lead to issues logged by EES (and potential penalties). But short trips, like a two-week vacation, typically have plenty of buffer.

On leaving the Schengen Area: When you’re heading home or onward out of Europe, you’ll go through exit passport control in the last Schengen country you’re in (for example, at the airport check in Paris if flying back to the US, or at the ferry terminal in Calais if driving back to the UK).

Plan to leave a bit earlier than pre-EES, as exit checks might also involve a quick biometric step. Have your passport handy (not packed in luggage). The officer or exit gate will likely scan your passport and possibly snap a photo or ask for one fingerprint to verify it’s you leaving.

This usually takes less time than entry, since it’s just matching you to your existing record. Once that’s done, you’re checked out of EES. The system will record the date and time you left.

After April 2026, you again won’t get a passport stamp showing exit – the digital record is it. If you want confirmation, some kiosks might display “Exit recorded” or an officer could verbally confirm. Then you can proceed to your flight or ferry.

On future trips: If you return to Europe within a few months or years, your EES record will still be valid (generally, the system retains data for 3 years after your last visit, as long as you didn’t overstay). That means when you arrive next time, the process may be streamlined.

You might go through a special EES gate that just uses facial recognition along with your passport scan to let you in. Or the officer will see on their screen that you’re already enrolled, so they’ll only need a quick face match or fingerprint to verify your identity.

You will still be logged in and out for each trip (so EES counts your days), but you won’t have to do the full fingerprinting all over again unless your data expired from the system or you got a new passport. Tip: If you do renew your passport, bring the old one (if you still have it) on your next trip.

It’s not required, but if there’s any confusion (since your biometrics were tied to the old passport number), having the old passport can help the officer locate or cross-reference your previous EES record. In any case, after one successful trip with EES, you can be much more confident that the next one will be routine.

The process might sound long when written out, but in practice it’s fairly straightforward – scan passport, give fingerprints (first time), take photo, and you’re done. By being prepared and knowing what’s expected, you’ll reduce any surprises at the border.

The Takeaway

Europe’s Entry/Exit System will soon become a standard part of travel for non-EU visitors, and most people will adjust quickly once it is in place. The process will replace manual passport stamps with fingerprint and facial scans, so it is important to plan a little extra time at arrival and departure points. Approaching the checks calmly and following border instructions will help ensure a smooth experience, especially during the first months of the rollout.

For most travelers, EES is simply an administrative update. Once your information is recorded during your first trip, future entries should become easier, especially as more airports introduce automated gates and touch-free checks. The system is designed to improve accuracy and monitor stay limits consistently, which helps maintain smoother border control and avoids the confusion that sometimes existed with manual stamping.

If you plan to visit Europe in 2026 or later, it is useful to understand the basics of the system, but it should not discourage you from traveling. Millions of visitors will use EES successfully, and the practical impact for most people will be limited to a few extra minutes at the border. With the preparation outlined in this guide, you can approach Europe’s new fingerprint and photo checks with confidence and continue enjoying the destinations and experiences that bring travelers to Europe year after year.

FAQ

Q1. Do I need to register for the Entry/Exit System before I travel?
No. There is no pre-registration or application for EES. Enrollment happens automatically at the border when you arrive.

Q2. Will EES make it harder for me to enter Europe?
No. Entry eligibility remains the same. You will provide fingerprints and a photo, but the rules for entering do not change.

Q3. Which countries will use EES?
EES will be used in 29 countries: nearly all Schengen states except Ireland and Cyprus, plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and soon Bulgaria and Romania.

Q4. Are children required to give fingerprints?
Children under 12 do not give fingerprints. Children 12 and older complete the full EES process like adults.

Q5. How long will my biometric data be stored?
Fingerprints, photos, and entry/exit records are stored for three years after your last exit, or up to five years if you overstayed.

Q6. Who can access my EES information?
Only EU border agencies, immigration authorities, and certain law-enforcement units with strict controls. It is not shared with airlines or private companies.

Q7. What if I refuse to provide fingerprints or a photo?
Refusing biometrics means you will be denied entry. EES checks are mandatory for non-EU visitors.

Q8. What happens if I overstay my allowed 90 days?
EES automatically flags overstays. Consequences may include fines, questioning, entry bans, or future visa complications.

Q9. Is EES a visa? Do I still need a visa if required before?
EES is not a visa and does not change visa requirements. It simply replaces passport stamping with electronic entry/exit records.

Q10. Does EES affect EU citizens or residents?
No. EU citizens and valid residence-permit holders are exempt. Use your EU passport or residence card at the border.

Q11. Will my passport still be stamped?
No. Once EES is fully implemented, stamps will be phased out and replaced by digital records.

Q12. How should I prepare for EES?
Ensure your passport is valid, allow extra time at borders during rollout, and monitor official travel updates. There is nothing to register or complete in advance.

Sources: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu, gov.uk, reuters.com