Planning on chasing a bit of autumn sun in October, whether that’s on Italy’s coast or over plates of tapas in Spain? Can hardly blame you. The weather in the UK has gotten a bit chilly over the last week or so – and besides, a pre-winter European escape is always a good idea, often with lower prices, favourable weather and fewer crowds.
But UK holidaymakers should be aware that a new entry system is about to kick in, affecting travel to 29 European countries in the Schengen area, including hotspots like Greece, France and Portugal. From early October onwards, travellers will have to register their fingerprints and facial biometrics, among other new requirements, on arrival.
So, what exactly does this mean for your next trip, what countries are affected and what does the new system actually entail? Here’s your guide to the new European travel rules coming into force this autumn.
What are the new EU rules?
The EU has introduced a new Entry/Exit System (EES) for UK passport holders visiting countries in the Schengen area for short stays.
At the border of a Schengen area country, UK travellers will be required to enter biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. Passengers don’t need to do anything before arriving at the border, and it’s completely free.
However, the new system will likely take a ‘few extra minutes to complete’, according to the Foreign Office, so passengers will want to factor this into their journey times.
What is EES?
Think of EES as a new digital border system. It will also replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU.
Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years. If you travel to the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border when you enter and exit. It’s also worth remembering that if you’re travelling to the EU, your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and remain valid for at least three months after the date you leave.
When do the new rules come into place?
EES will come into effect on October 12 and will be phased in gradually over six months. It’ll be totally rolled out by April 2026.
Which countries are introducing EES in October 2025?
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Are there any EU countries that don’t require EES?
Yep, in Cyprus and Ireland it will be business as usual, as they are not in the Schengen area.
Currently, UK travellers can stay up to 90 days in 180 days in Cyprus without a visa. Any time spent in the Schengen area does not affect the number of days you can stay in Cyprus. However, you may need a visa or permit for Cyprus if you want to work there or stay for more than 90 days.
As for Ireland, UK travellers can visit and remain indefinitely in the country under the Common Travel Area rules. British nationals do not need a visa or residency permit to live, work or study in Ireland.
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