23/09/2025
โ๏ธ๐ Important EU Travel Update for UK Travellers ๐โ๏ธ
From 12 October 2025, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into effect.
- UK visitors to the Schengen Area (not incl. Ireland or Cyprus) will need to register fingerprints and photo at border kiosks on arrival.
- The countries in the Schengen area are:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not within the Schengen area, and therefore EES is not applicable when travelling to either of these countries.
- Your digital record will last 3 years, so you wonโ need to re-register each trip.
- Expect longer wait times at airports, ports & train stations as the system launches.
- Pre-registration kiosks will be available at Dover, Folkestone & St Pancras.
- Cruise travellers may be exempt depending on routes.
โ ๏ธ Some UK nationals are exempt, carry the right documents if this applies to you.
Plan ahead, allow extra time and keep this in mind when booking autumn/winter getaways!