EES (Entry/Exit System) for most EU countries

NoodleDoodleMan

EES is due to be implemented in the not too distant future, official start date Sunday 12th October.

If/when anybody has experienced the biometric data recording procedures on or after that date it would be appreciated if it could be shared hereabouts.

It applies to all EU member countries except Ireland and Cyprus, plus four non EU states - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. 

TELLIT01

I like the 'due to be implemented'   There have been so many dates given and then delayed that I will only believe it when it actually happens.

NoodleDoodleMan

TELLIT01 said:

I like the 'due to be implemented'   There have been so many dates given and then delayed that I will only believe it when it actually happens.

Indeed, however I suspect it'll move forward this time around.

Watch this space ?

singhini

i don't travel very much but i was listening to BBC Sounds "You and Yours" (20th August 2025 episode) and they discussed EU travel and the forthcoming EES if anyone wants to know more about it.  

EDIT: i cant paste a link for some reason? -----> but if you go to BBC Sounds and look up You and Yours its easy enough to find.

Grumpy_chap

NoodleDoodleMan said:

EES is due to be implemented in the not too distant future, official start date Sunday 12th October.

HMMM, I am wholly unaware of this system and any requirements.  In fairness, I think I may have heard some faint and distant rumblings about a system coming quite some while back somewhere in the media but I had no knowledge of any system being imminent.

We just booked to travel to Europe from 18th October, so a week after the date suggested.  Nothing on any of the booking channels we considered made any reference to a change of entry requirements, so this really has not been well publicised.

I guess I need to go off and do some research what it all means and be grateful that I saw this thread.

Alan_Bowen

The problem is that each country can decide when to start implementation, they don't have to start on 12th October. You will need to have 4 fingerprints taken and a digital photo taken . It will apply to everyone who doesn't have an EU passport, not just UK citizens. Some airports appear to be ready, such as Palma, some such as Faro may be less so. The first week will be the worst but then at the end of the month the great school holiday getaway will begin and that is probably a good time to be staying at home!

katejo

I returned from Stockholm last week and a digital photo was taken of me for the 1st time at the passport point (as well as stamp in my passport but no finger prints). 
 

NoodleDoodleMan

Thanks for flagging up the 4 fingerprint requirement - I could only find references to 10 when trawling around recently.

The latter did seem unnecessary -  is there any indication which fingers - thumb and index finger seems logical ?

sheramber

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr/how-will-ees-work-what-new-during-border-checks#if-you-arrive-at-a-border-crossing-point-for-the-first-time

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.

daveyjp

I used the system this weekend in Malaga.

My advice - take time to register on arrival, it is a faff, the tech is clunky, you will get rejects, you will get frustrated, but be patient as 5-10 minutes registering means just 5 minutes using the egate to exit rather than 1 hour plus waiting in the old school lines.

The queue filled the arrival hall to the extent they had to stop passengers entering from the egate registration area.  We had looks and comments as we walked past everyone to get to egates where there was no queue.  Passport was still stamped.

Tips.  Stand alone at the terminal.  It appeared not to work if there are two people in shot.  Place and hold down the passport photo page lightly so it is flat.  Stand close enough when the photo is taken, it doesn't work if there are people in the background.  Press firmly for fingerprints, it is four on the right hand and there's an indicator to show which hand and fingers to use.  You can see the scan and if not enough print is scanned it will get rejected, but you can scan again until it is accepted.

The system didn't work at passport control when we left due to some system tweeks and testing!

TELLIT01

The new system is causing utter chaos at some airports.  Prague is experiencing queues in excess of 2 hours on arrival, and almost the same for passport checks on the way out.  People have been missing flights because of it.  It's not as simple as arriving earlier because you can't do anything until you have checked in any necessary baggage and some airlines only open check in desks 2 hours before departure.