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A guide to the EES (EU Entry Exit System)

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) introduces biometric checks for travellers from outside the EU, including visitors from teh UK. Our guide explains the changes, how the process works, and offers some simple tips to help you travel with confidence.

ees

What is EES? (EU Entry Exit System)

From 12th October 2025, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) introduces a new way for non-EU visitors, including UK travellers, to pass through borders in the Schengen Area.

In recent years passports have been stamped; from now on information will be stored digitally, including:

  • A facial photo

  • Fingerprints

  • Your entry and exit details

Border crossings should become smoother and the change is designed to improve security, whilst also helping the EU to manage travel more efficiently.

Below we explain what to expect and how to prepare for this change.

What is the purpose of EES?

The Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) is being introduced to make travel across Europe safer, smarter, and more efficient. Its main aims are to:

  • Enhance border protection by preventing overstays and unauthorised entries

  • Improve accuracy with digital records instead of passport stamps

  • Speed up future crossings once the system has been fully introduced

As with anything new, these checks might take a little extra time at first, but the system is designed to make journeys more secure and consistent in the long run.

Find more details about how it works here.

What is the schengen area?

The Schengen Area is a collection of European countries that have agreed to remove passport checks at their shared borders. This means you can travel freely between them as if they were one large travel zone. When entering or leaving from a non-Schengen country, systems like the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) come into play.

As of 2026, the Schengen Area covers most EU nations, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

However, Ireland and Cyprus are not part of Schengen, so travel to or from those countries won’t involve EES checks.

In simple terms, if you’re heading to classic European destinations like Spain’s sunny coastlines, France’s famous cities, or Italy’s scenic lakes, your trip will pass through the Schengen Area, and the EES system will apply.

Travelling from the UK? Here's what to expect:

If you’re a UK citizen entering the Schengen Area, here’s what the new border process will look like:

  • Photo and fingerprints: Taken once when you first use the system, then stored for future visits.

  • Border questions: You might be asked about your plans or length of stay, just as you are now.

  • A bit more waiting time: Especially at the beginning, while border teams and travellers adjust.

  • No paperwork in advance: You don’t need to apply online or complete any pre-travel form.

  • No charge: The system is free to use.

Overall, the new EES checks are designed to improve border security and travel should be smoother in the long run. Any extra waiting time is expected to be minimal.

How does the new EES affect cruise holidays?

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) also applies to cruise passengers, depending on the itinerary:

  • Round-trip cruises from outside Schengen (for example, departing and returning to the UK) are generally not subject to EES checks.

  • Cruises that begin in a Schengen port will involve going through the EES when you first board or enter the area.

  • Cruises that end in the Schengen area mean you’ll complete border checks when you disembark.

 

👉 OK To Travel’s tip: Having specific cruise travel insurance can give you extra peace of mind, such as covering you for missed ports or cabin confinement.

How will EES change the way you travel to Europe?

At first, the EU’s new biometric border system will feel a little different. Instead of presenting your passport to be checked and stamped, you’ll pause briefly while your photo and fingerprints are scanned. This may, initially, lead to slightly longer waits, but many border points are already upgrading their systems to help move travellers through the process smoothly.

For most travellers, the change will be minimal, especially compared with other travel steps like visa applications or authorisations. Over time, the Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to make border crossings faster, more accurate, and more secure.

👉 Visit the official EU Entry/Exit System page here.

In short: The EES replaces traditional passport stamping with a quick digital record that includes your photo and fingerprints. There’s no cost, no need to register in advance, and only a small chance of extra waiting time while it’s introduced – all to make European travel safer and more consistent in the future.

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FAQs

Some of our most frequently asked questions about travel insurance.

Who is eligible to purchase cover with OK To Travel?

Our travel insurance products are available to permanent UK residents who are registered with a GP in the UK. Some of our products can also cover residents of the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.

You need to be fit to travel at the time of purchasing travel insurance cover.

No, there’s no upper age limit for travel insurance with OK To Travel branded products, whether it’s a Single Trip or an Annual Multi-Trip policy. However, the maximum permitted duration of your trip may vary depending on your age.

We also offer other products with different age limits; you’ll only see those suitable for your needs when you get a quote.

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