Entry/Exit System update: the European countries still pausing EES checks

The EU now technically requires all European airports to carry out biometric checks under Entry-Exit System (EES) on travellers, without any pauses to alleviate queues. 

But some countries, including popular holiday hotspots, have reportedly delayed the full roll-out and may continue to suspend checks. The list of countries includes Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland. Which? has reached out to the European Commission for more information, but at the time of publishing it has not yet responded.

The EU’s new biometric border checks, Entry/Exit System (EES), impact British travellers when entering and leaving the Schengen area, including at most European airports. Ireland and Cyprus are excluded.

The EU began rolling out biometric checks in April, initially leading to long passport control queues, as passengers had their fingerprints and photographs taken, at a number of European airports. In the same month, our travel editor witnessed queues several hours long and passengers missing flights at Palma airport, and in April a flight from Milan to Manchester took off without more than 100 passengers who were stuck in EES queues. Most weeks, there are further stories of passengers missing flights due to these queues.  

Throughout the summer, many European airports relied upon the ability to suspend checks and prevent border queues spiralling out of control. But as of 6 September, that flexibility officially expired.

When the European Commission was asked whether any flexibility would continue after the 6 September deadline, its spokesperson for internal affairs, Markus Lammert, explained that it is ‘in close and constructive contact with (the) few member states that have challenges … or had challenges before the summer’ and said it would be ‘in touch’ with those states to determine the next steps.

However, the Commission did not say publicly which member states it has been in touch with, nor what exactly those next steps would be. 

How does EES ‘flexibility’ affect British travellers?

EU countries and airports having flexibility to pause EES checks during peak travel season was good news for British travellers, as it helped airports to alleviate excessive queues and disruption. But the EU’s automatic permission to do so expired on 6 September, leading some industry figures, including Ryanair’s chief operations officer Neal McMahon, to urge the EU to extend the flexibility to April 2027.

EES checks happen on arrival and departure at European airports, and the queues grow at busy times because all third-party nationals arriving in Schengen countries, including UK passport holders since Brexit, are now required to register their biometrics and ‘enrol’ in the system. The Schengen zone includes popular holiday destinations such as France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, but not Cyprus or Ireland.

It also includes countries popular with British travellers for autumn and winter trips, like Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and the Czech Republic.

In time, EES checks will also take place for all Eurostar and Eurotunnel users, and those departing from the Port of Dover. But none have yet announced mandatory EES checks for all passengers.

Read on to find out more about what to expect when it comes to EES checks if you’re travelling this autumn.

Will I face EES disruption on my next trip?

If you’re travelling outside of peak travel times (ie outside of school holidays, and at less busy times of day like late at night), EES border queues might not be a problem. 

Similarly, if you’re travelling to one of the nine countries where EES checks haven’t yet fully rolled out, your airport might pause checks in the event of long queues.

But it's wise to prepare as if you will have to queue and anticipate delays. Long EES queues could mean some travellers miss their flights home.

What to do to prepare for queues

At European airports that have a large number of UK arrivals and departures, it’s sensible to arrive as bag drop opens, usually three hours before departure, so you have enough time to make it through exit EES checks. 

EES involves having your fingerprints and/or a facial scan taken at EES kiosks or by a border officer, as well as answering questions about the reason for your visit. 

If you’re stuck in the queue for EES checks, you can try to speak to a member of staff and inform them you’re at risk of missing your flight home. In some situations, airport staff may use their discretion and allow you to move to the front of the queue.

If you don’t need to check in a bag at the airport, you may want to arrive even earlier. Clearing security sooner could mean you’re able to join EES queues ahead of time, potentially helping you to stay on schedule for your flight. 

Always go to the gate as soon as it's announced – this will help to maximise the time you have to clear EES queues.

Read more on how to prepare for EES queues.

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What happens at the border with EES?

The new digital EES requires all non-EU passport holders, including those with British passports, to be fingerprinted and photographed at border control. 

Travellers of all ages are subject to these border checks, although children under 12 don’t need to give fingerprints.

Fingerprints and photos are taken at kiosks or by a border officer when arriving at overseas airports, and before leaving the UK for passengers using Eurostar/Eurotunnel or departing from the Port of Dover.

Visitors may also have to answer questions about the length of their stay and whether they have enough money to fund their trip.

Theoretically, the system should have replaced passport stamping by now, but this may happen more slowly. During grace-period suspensions that were allowed until 6 September, states were permitted to stop real-time checks and instead retroactively upload passport data into the EES system. In these cases, passports were stamped instead. 

It's unclear whether passport stamping will be used at airports where EES checks are paused. But, as a rule of thumb, if you’re travelling soon and are given the opportunity to have your passport stamped, you should accept it.

Has EES started yet?

Yes – the changes rolled out officially on 10 April 2026. EES applies across all Schengen countries, including Bulgaria and Romania. The only exceptions are Ireland (which shares a Common Travel Area with the UK) and Cyprus (which will operate border controls separately).

What if I’m travelling by Eurostar, Eurotunnel and at the Port of Dover?

Eurostar is currently asking some Eurostar Premier passengers, or those travelling with Carte Blanche or Étoile Club Eurostar membership, to register with EES at a pre-registration kiosk. 

It says it accounts for time needed for border checks within arrival times on tickets, and will provide a further update regarding when EES registration will be mandatory for all passengers, including information on how it impacts their travel plans, and will do so 'well in advance'. 

Throughout the summer holiday period, Eurotunnel LeShuttle at Folkestone said on its website there will be no EES biometric capture at LeShuttle terminals in Folkestone or Calais, and that customers could continue to travel through terminals as normal. It has not yet updated its website with new instructions, and says: ‘All the required infrastructure, our systems, our kiosks, as well as staffing on our side, are in place and ready to operate as soon as we receive the go ahead from the French authorities.’

The Port of Dover’s FAQs state that the EES system has not yet been fully implemented for cars, that passengers should continue to travel to the Eastern Docks as usual on arrival, and that no biometric data is currently being collected.

I’ve already done EES checks on a previous trip. Do I have to do it again?

Yes. Even if you’ve already registered your biometrics within the Entry-Exit System, they’ll still be checked every time you travel into and out of countries where the EES checks take place.

Could I be banned from the EU under EES?

EES rules state that UK travellers may spend 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen zone. Unless you’re taking longer and/or more frequent trips than this, it’s not something to worry about – just make sure you get your passport stamped each time you travel in and out of the EU until this step is phased out.

If you do overstay, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) says you could be banned from countries in the Schengen Area for up to three years. These rules come under the EU’s Return Directive 2008/115, which states that any entry ban should take into account the specific circumstances of each individual case – meaning that it may depend on factors such as the length of your overstay and any other mitigating factors.

If you’re concerned, you can use the European Union’s 90/180 calculator tool, which is available on the official Travel to Europe website.

Do I have to do anything for EES?

No, apart from checking your passport validity and making sure you’re following the 90/180-day Schengen rule. 

There’s no advance registration or paperwork needed before you travel. 

However, it’s worth allowing extra time for your journey. For example, when booking transfers, car hire or other onward travel, take into consideration that you may wait longer than normal to exit the airport when you arrive at a European country. You may want to ensure that your car hire company doesn’t impose a penalty for late pick-up – and warn it if you’re delayed.

For peace of mind, you can also double-check the entry requirements of your destination by checking its FCDO Foreign Travel Advice page.

Can I now use e-Gates at European airports?

Not yet. Some airports, such as those in Germany and Bulgaria, along with Lisbon and Faro in Portugal, Prague and Rome Fiumicino, are already allowing UK travellers through the e-Gates, and it is hoped more will do so in future.

Even if you do go through an e-Gate, you may still be given the chance to have your passport stamped by a border guard. It's wise to do so if you're given the opportunity, as it acts as further documentation of your movements in or out of the Schengen zone.

Is it true that I’ll be asked about travel insurance or money when travelling to Europe?

You may be asked when registering for EES if you have enough money to cover your stay. But we haven’t found any instances of British passport holders being refused entry on the basis of their answer. 

Rumours of British tourists being fined under Spain’s '£97-a-day' rule are unfounded. The rule has long existed and technically applies to UK visitors post-Brexit, but Spanish authorities confirmed to Which? that it’s not enforced against British tourists, and none have been refused entry. That said, it’s sensible to carry a return ticket and accommodation details in case you’re asked.

Do I need travel insurance because of EES?

Again, this is unlikely. Some countries in the Schengen area list travel insurance as a requirement for entry, but it’s not a rule that has ever been used to deny entry to UK travellers – as far as we’re aware. 

When Eurostar first introduced EES, passengers were asked about travel insurance, but this and other questions have been temporarily dropped, with no mention of them on Eurostar’s EES page. Which? has reached out to Eurostar to ask when, and if, these questions will be reintroduced, but it has not yet shared more information. 

There is also a helpful Eurostar tool for checking border requirements for your journey – just type in your destination.

Either way, it's advisable to buy travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked a trip. While a UK Ehic/Ghic card can cover medically necessary state healthcare in the EU, it won’t cover private treatment or repatriation. Plus, travel insurance will protect you against wider issues, including cancellations or lost baggage.

Do you need to apply for EES?

No. Just prepare for extra border checks. You may be able to pre-register on an official app called Travel to Europe in future, but at the moment this is only available if you’re travelling to Sweden or Portugal.

What is the EES app, also known as the Travel to Europe app?

The EU has created an app called Travel to Europe that lets travellers pre-register their passport information, upload a photo and answer the questions asked at kiosks up to 72 hours before arriving at border control. It is currently only available for arrivals into Sweden and Portugal.

What is an Etias, and do I need one?

After EES, adding to the abbreviations is Etias (European Travel Information and Authorisation System): a new visa waiver that British travellers will have to pay for to visit Europe. 

This was due to be introduced in late 2026, but the European Commission has postponed the scheme and has not yet announced a new start date; it is unlikely to be in 2026 and will not affect any holidays you’re taking in the next few months.

When it is fully implemented, all holidaymakers will need to apply online and pay a fee of €20 (around £17) before travelling. The authorisation is expected to be valid for three years, or until your passport expires.

When Etias launches, UK travellers will need it to travel to the following:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia (aka the 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.

While Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City are not part of the Schengen Area, they do not have independent external border controls. Travellers normally enter these territories via France or Italy. As these are Schengen member states, visa-exempt travellers will need a valid Etias travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area.