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British passport holders – as well as other “third country nationals” from the US, Canada, Australia and elsewhere – are to become subject to the EU entry-exit system (EES). digital border scheme Starting Sunday October 12th. many readers of Independent Have asked questions about EES, so here are the key issues you need to know…
What’s the big idea?
The long-awaited entry-exit system will connect every border crossing point schengen area (all together European Union Iceland, Norway and Switzerland except Ireland and Cyprus) with a central database. Its purpose is to crack down on crime and enforce A 90-day stay limit, which applies to British travelers and other third-country nationals within a 180-day period.
The system will collect or screen biometrics from all third country nationals when they enter or exit a foreign country schengen Limit. These boundaries include international airports, sea ports, railway stations and road crossings.
The first time the traveler comes in contact with the system, it will create a digital record: registering their face and fingerprints along with personal data from their passport. (Those under the age of 12 are exempted from providing fingerprints.) Upon subsequent crossing of the border of the Schengen Area, facial biometrics will be checked against this record.
What is Tantra?
Most travelers will register at kiosks set up at the borders. You place the photo page of your passport as directed, and then follow the instructions.
On subsequent visits, you will either use a kiosk to confirm that your face and passport match the details stored on the system, or use an eGate if these have been modified to check the face of non-EU travellers.
What will I notice on the first day?
May be nothing. The EES is being rolled out gradually over a period of 180 days from 12 October 2025 to 9 April 2026.
Initially, member states are only required to offer EES on a token basis – Germany is leading the way Dusseldorf Airport – And only a small portion of passengers will need to go through the entry-exit system.
Spain, the most popular country for British holidays, says: “During a six-month trial period for the EU EES, it will be gradually implemented at Spanish border crossings, first at airports, then at land borders and finally at sea borders.
“On Sunday 12 October, the first test will be carried out with passengers of a flight arriving early in the morning at Madrid-Barajas-Adolfo Suárez Airport.”
Independent has identified three countries that will be fully prepared from day one: czech republicEstonia and Luxembourg.
Do I need to prepare anything in advance?
No, it’s an extra layer of red tape at the port of entry. For the first six months, the old-fashioned analog business of checking and stamping passports will continue as usual – but you may also be asked for biometrics.
It will take you another year to enroll for ethias “Euro Visa” before travelling.
What will happen to EU passport holders when EES opens?
They’ll cross the border through special lanes, where the only check will be a look at their passport to make sure A) it’s valid and B) it’s theirs. Just like it used to be for British passport holders BrexitIf you have an EU passport, you can bid farewell to us all and get to the bar in record time.
How long does my ‘digital record’ last?
After negotiations with EES for three years. Each new visit triggers the next three years of validity of the initial registration. In other words, if you do not cross the border of the Schengen area for three years, you will have to register again.
You should not need to re-register for passport renewal. The system should automatically update when you present your new passport and the system checks your facial biometrics.
Do I need to provide proof of travel insurance?
Almost certainly not. While it is true that EES kiosks in the Eurostar terminal at London St Pancras International ask “Do you have medical insurance?”, this has been a requirement to enter France (but not any other EU country) for many years, and has never been enforced for UK travellers. The kiosks for the Eurotunnel crossing in Folkestone are not asking that question.
The UK Government emphasizes: “Medical insurance will not be a mandatory requirement for UK citizens traveling to the EU under the EEA. However, we strongly recommend that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance, including medical cover, before traveling abroad.”
What if I’m sailing?
If the journey starts and ends in the UK, you should not need to use the entry-exit system. home office Says: “Seafarers starting and ending their voyage outside the Schengen Area (for example, at a UK port) will generally be exempt from EES checks, including any day trips in the Schengen Area that form part of their itinerary.”
If you are on a “fly cruise” and are joining and/or leaving the ship in a port in the Schengen area, you will need to go through the entry-exit system at the Schengen border.