EU's New Entry Exit System: What It Means for British Travellers

As the UK gears up for the cold winter months, changes are underway for those planning to escape to warmer climates. The European Union's (EU) new Entry Exit System (EES) has been introduced, potentially altering the way British citizens cross borders. The system, launched on October 12, aims to replace in-person border stamping with a digital process, collecting biometric data, travel documents, and more. With a phased rollout, the system is set to be fully operational by April 10, 2026.

Key Takeaways:

The EES will register travellers from non-EU countries, including the UK, and collect biometric data, travel document data, and other information each time they cross the border.
The system will be phased in over six months, with the first confirmed implementation at Arlanda Airport in Sweden.
Travellers may experience longer wait times, but UK ministers are investing in ports and operators to mitigate disruptions.
The data gathered will be deleted three years after the last trip to a country using the EES system.
Certain EU/Schengen area countries, including Cyprus and Ireland, are exempt from the EES.
Edinburgh Airport flies to 68 airports affected by the change, including holiday favourites like Malaga and Budapest.
The EES Kiosk terminal will scan fingerprints and ask travellers a series of questions, except for children under 12.
The EU Border Agency, Frontex, has developed a smartphone app to help reduce disruptions.

Statistics:

The EES was officially launched on October 12, 2025.
The roll out will take place over a period of six months.
The system will be fully operational by April 10, 2026.
68 airports affected by the change,
The data gathered will be deleted three years after the last trip to a country using the EES system.

Sources:

[The UK's plans for the EES](https://web.archive.org/web/2024.07.25apalonwen)-FE6sol/2025.),
[Frontex's smartphone app](https://frontex.europa.eu/app))-wen-6sol/2025.)