A new digital border management system is changing how non EU travellers enter and leave much of Europe. Called the Entry Exit System, it is designed to make border checks smoother and more efficient while strengthening security. The update will be especially noticeable for travellers from the United Kingdom who are heading to the Schengen area for holidays, work trips, or quick weekend breaks. The aim is a more modern process that relies less on manual steps and more on automated checks.
The Entry Exit System, often shortened to EES, began on 12 October 2025 and is being rolled out gradually. It records the entry and exit of non EU nationals travelling to 29 European countries in the Schengen area. That includes 25 EU member states, plus Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Switzerland. Instead of relying on the traditional routine of stamping passports, the system will increasingly handle travel records digitally. Over time, this should make it easier to see when someone entered, when they left, and how long they stayed.
For UK travellers, the first real encounter with the new system happens at the point of entry into the Schengen area. That could be at an EU or Schengen airport or seaport, but it can also happen before you even leave the UK. France carries out certain entry checks on UK soil, which means travellers may face the EES process at the port of Dover, at St Pancras International for Eurostar services in London, or at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone. Knowing where the check occurs can help you plan your arrival time and avoid unnecessary stress.
Once fully operational, the EES is expected to reduce the time needed to cross the EU’s external borders by simplifying and automating procedures. It also supports border authorities by creating more reliable data about crossings, helping detect overstays, and identifying document or identity fraud. The system is presented as a tool to support efforts against irregular migration while improving overall security. Alongside these goals, the system is intended to follow high standards for data and privacy protection so travellers’ personal information remains secure.
EU member states are introducing the EES over a six month period, with border authorities progressively registering the details of third country nationals as they cross. By the end of that rollout window, the system is meant to be in place at all border crossing points. If you travel often, it is worth expecting a period of adjustment as the new process becomes the norm and border staff and travellers alike get used to it.
Have you travelled since the new system started, or are you planning a trip soon, and what questions do you still have about how it will work in practice? Share your thoughts in the comments.
