EU Launches Biometric Border Checks for Non-EU Travellers, Including Britons, Amid Rollout Concerns

New EU Entry/Exit System Commences Rollout

The European Union's long-anticipated Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to begin its phased implementation on Sunday, October 12, 2025. This new digital border management system will fundamentally alter how non-EU nationals, including citizens from the United Kingdom, enter and exit the Schengen Area. The EES aims to modernize border controls, enhance security, and more effectively track short-stay visitors.

The rollout will span six months, with full operational status expected by April 10, 2026. During this transitional period, the system will be gradually introduced at various border crossing points across 29 European countries.

Biometric Data Collection Becomes Mandatory

Under the new regulations, non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area for a short stay—defined as up to 90 days within any 180-day period—will be required to register their biometric data. This includes providing fingerprints and a facial image upon their first entry. This data will be stored for three years, and on subsequent journeys, facial recognition may suffice for identity confirmation. The EES will replace the manual stamping of passports, which has been deemed outdated and prone to error.

The system will collect and store personal information such as name, travel document data, date and place of entry and exit, and any instances of refusal of entry. Children under the age of 12 will be required to have their photograph taken but will be exempt from providing fingerprints. Travellers who refuse to provide the required biometric data may be denied entry into the Schengen territory.

Purpose and Scope of the EES

The primary objectives of the EES are multifaceted: to modernize border management through automation, to combat illegal migration and identity fraud by linking travel documents to biometric identifiers, and to track overstayers to ensure compliance with the 90-day visa-free rule. The system is designed to streamline the border process and increase border security across the participating countries, which include all Schengen members and several associated nations like Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

The EES applies to most UK travellers, unless they hold residency status in an EU country or fall under specific exemptions, such as those with a residence permit or a long-stay Schengen visa. The system will be active at airports, ferry ports, train stations, and land borders.

Pre-registration App Availability and Anticipated Delays

Frontex, the EU border and coastguard agency, has developed a 'Travel to Europe' mobile application intended to allow non-EU travellers to pre-register their travel document data and facial images up to 72 hours before arrival. This voluntary pre-registration aims to reduce processing times at the border. However, the app is not yet widely available to travellers, as its integration into national systems is voluntary for member states. As of the launch date, only Sweden has confirmed it will initially offer the pre-registration option for airline passengers.

Officials from the UK and other countries have warned of potential delays and longer waiting times at border crossings, particularly during the initial phase of the EES rollout. Travellers are advised to prepare for these potential disruptions. The EES is the first step in a broader transformation of EU border management, with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) expected to follow in late 2026.