The EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) requires most UK travellers to register their biometric data before entering the Schengen area. However, some holidaymakers are exempt from the checks.
How the EES works
The EES was introduced earlier this year, meaning the majority of non-EU citizens must register their biometric data at one of 29 participating countries, including popular holiday destinations such as Spain and Greece. Some UK travellers will need to have their photograph taken and their fingerprints scanned before they can pass through into Europe's Schengen area.
Countries that are part of the EES are: 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, and Switzerland.
Disruption and delays
As a result of the new system, travellers no longer need to have their passports stamped. Over the summer, the EES resulted in lengthy queues and significant delays at a number of airports.
Due to the disruption caused, Greece initially suspended EES checks for UK passport holders in April 2026, though this decision was subsequently reversed in order to comply with EU regulations. Earlier this month, however, Greece and eight other countries - France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Malta, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium - have indicated they require additional time before fully implementing the EES.
Who does not need to register
EU sources say the system is regarded as a success, with approximately 200m registrations and 70,000 people prevented from entering the Schengen area, up from 43,700 in June. These include individuals without visas, those who have exceeded their 180-day allowance, or Britons who have overstayed their 90-day allowance.
According to the EU website, you do not need to use the system if the following apply:
- You are a non-EU national who holds a residence card or permit and are immediately related to a non-EU national who can travel through Europe like an EU citizen.
- People exempt from border checks due to certain privileges e.g. a head of state.
- You are a non-EU national who holds a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national.
- You hold a residence permit or long-stay visa.
- You are a non-EU national travelling to Europe as part of an intra-corporate transfer for the purpose of research, studies, training, pupil exchange, voluntary services, educational projects, or au-pairing.
- You are a national of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino and hold a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See.
- You are a diplomat on a short stay (under certain conditions).
- You are a national of a European country using EES, such as Cyprus and Ireland.
