The Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace the traditional passport stamping process at the borders of 29 Schengen states
From 12 October 2025, UK citizens travelling to Spain, Greece, Italy and other countries in the Schengen Area will face new border checks under an EU system designed to modernise controls and tighten security.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace the traditional passport stamping process at the borders of 29 Schengen states. Non-EU nationals, including British tourists, will be required to provide biometric data – fingerprints and facial recognition scans – alongside travel details.
Officials say the change will create a more accurate record of entries and exits, helping to detect overstays and combat document fraud. The system will also support efforts to curb irregular migration by tracking individual movements more reliably.
Border authorities have warned of longer queues in the early stages as equipment is installed and staff adjust to new procedures, particularly during peak travel periods. However, the EU expects checks to become faster once the system is fully operational, with frequent travellers able to cross more quickly in future.
The EES is intended to reduce human error linked to manual passport stamping and improve the security of the Schengen Area’s external borders. Collected data will be stored and processed in line with EU privacy and data protection laws, with officials stressing it will be used solely for border control purposes.
