Under the Entry/Exit System (EES), UK nationals travelling to the Schengen Area will be required to undergo biometric checks (fingerprints and facial image) and may have to respond to questions regarding their stay as part of the Schengen Border Code, such as details of where they will be staying. These questions are not new – they have been applicable since the UK left the EU – but were previously asked in person by a border guard, often on an ad hoc basis. With the introduction of EES, such questions may now be asked electronically, making it more likely that travellers will need to provide this information.
The EES rollout will be fully live by 10 April 2026, with all borders processing all passengers through EES, and taking biometrics. You don’t need to do anything in advance for EES. When you arrive at the border, look out for information signs advising what you need to do, and the advice of border staff.
As EES records each individual entry and exit, the one-person-one-document rule will be enforced at most airports and ports. It is advisable to have travel documentation and accommodation vouchers easily accessible as you pass through these kiosks.
Delays have been reported at some airports whilst the phasing in takes place.
