Most non-EU nationals entering Schengen area will have photo and fingerprints taken as part of entry-exit system
By Gwyn Topham and Lisa O’Carroll
Oct 10, 2025
The first British and other non-EU citizens will be subjected to new biometric checks when travelling to Europe from Sunday, when the long-delayed entry-exit system (EES) is finally launched.
A phased implementation to avoid chaos at borders means it could be another six months before every traveller is checked, with passport stamping continuing until the system is fully up and running.
Under EES, most non-EU or non-European Economic Area citizens or residents will be photographed and have their fingerprints scanned at the border to travel into the Schengen area.
Travellers will need to scan their passport and may also be asked to confirm whether they have accommodation, a return ticket, sufficient funds and travel/medical insurance, although not all border crossings will demand this.
Banks of machines have been installed at airports and borders around Europe in anticipation of the system, whose start date was originally scheduled for 2022.
Cross-Channel departure points where the French and EU border is on UK soil, including Eurostar at St Pancras international train station, have invested tens of millions of pounds in infrastructure and computer systems to comply with the new requirements.
The time needed for additional checks – especially for drivers and passengers who will need to leave their vehicle to register information – has led to fears of long queues, particularly at the Port of Dover ferry terminal and, to a lesser extent, at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone.
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