EU Entry/Exit System

EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

The new EU Entry/Exit System (ESS) is now rolling out, it affects all non-EU nationals, including British nationals, travelling in or out of the Schengen area. The Schengen area is made up of 27 EU Member States, Switzerland, and Norway. The EES is a digital border system which registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen area instead of stamping their passports.

ESS is being implemented through a six month phased rollout.

You will need to have your fingerprints and your photo taken when entering the Schengen area on your first visit. Then it will check your passport against that data on all your following visits.

The idea is that it will drastically speed up the process by automating everything. However, EES will likely take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete, so be prepared to wait a little longer than usual at the border on entry to your destination country.

People of all ages will need to go through the EES checks, however, children under 12 will not need to provide fingerprints. Irish passport holders are exempt from EES.

You do not need to take any action prior to arriving at the border and there is no cost for ESS registration.

More information regarding the new system is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system