EES Process

Fundamentally, there is no change to border procedures with EES; simply these procedures are handled by a computer terminal rather than a member of border staff. You do not need to prepare anything extra beforehand, nor pay any fees to engage with this system.

Upon arrival at EU and Schengen Area border controls, a self-service terminal will collect important information on your expected stay, including:

• Your passport details – recorded digitally from biometric passport data
• a picture – taken automatically by the terminal’s camera
• fingerprints – taken as instructed by the terminal
• Details of your visit – including number of days and how you expect to pay for your visit.

This will replace the need to have your passport stamped by a member of border staff.

The process will ask you a number of questions regarding the details of your visit – these are standard questions currently asked by border staff, including how much money you have to pay for your trip, if you hold appropriate insurance, and where you intend to stay. Please note the exact phrasing of these questions will vary by state.

This takes place at the EU border – note this may occur in the UK where controls are “juxtaposed”, such as at the Port of Dover or St Pancras International Eurostar Terminal.

The process is quick and easy, and once completed on first entry to a specific country will not have to be completed as thoroughly for three years. The EU is developing an app to further facilitate these repeat visits. The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are currently exempt from the rollout of EES.

At the Port of Dover extra members of border staff, equipped with mobile terminals, will be on hand to efficiently complete EES requirements. In time, both Dover and St Pancras International expect to expand their border processing areas to better facilitate EES.

 

EES Roll-Out & Disruption

EES will be rolled out in phases between October 2025 and April 2026 – this means you may experience different border processes each time you cross the European border. As a result of the UK-EU trade deal agreed in May 2025, UK passport holders will have the right to use passport E-Gates at all applicable ports, airports and stations; please note that not all border crossings have e-gate facilities. This will only take place once full roll out of EES has been achieved which is expected to be six months after its October 2025 launch.

Disruption has been experienced across Europe, particularly excaserbating exiting issues such as when lots of non-EU flights land at the same time. For winter, Geneva has been a particular hotspot for disruption.

The EU has protocols in place to limit disruption, such as suspending EES ahead of known busy periods such as at weekends.

EES is being used more often when people are leaving the EU to return home, with reports of missed flights and travel disruption. Leave plenty of time on your return journey and head straight through passport control when arriving at the airport.

 

The Schengen Area

The Schengen Area includes the following countries:

• All 27 EU Countries, except Cyprus and the Republic of Ireland
• Norway
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Switzerland

There are slight variations in how EES is being applied in each participant state. In some cases, UK nationals and other passport holders may be able to use passport e-gates upon arrival or departure – it is not yet understood how this will interact with the new EES system. A phased roll-out of the scheme will mean that you may experience a different border crossing experience passing through different border posts in the same country for a short time.

As a result of the UK-EU trade deal agreed in May 2025, UK passport holders will have the right to use passport E-Gates at all applicable ports, airports and stations; please note that not all border crossings have e-gate facilities. This will only take place once full roll out of EES has been achieved which is expected to be six months after its October 2025 launch.

 

Pre-Settled Residents

UK passport holders who hold “pre-settled status” in an EU country must present dedicated paperwork when crossing the Schengen Area border following the launch of EES. Please note this varies between countries; the specific requirements can be found on each country’s FCDO travel advice page here.