The European Union has commenced the gradual rollout of a significant new electronic border control system, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES). Beginning on October 12, this automated system introduces enhanced security measures for non-EU citizens, including British tourists, entering 29 European countries. The EES aims to modernize border management by digitalizing entry and exit records, ultimately replacing the traditional method of stamping passports.

The primary objectives of the EES are multifaceted: to enhance border security, identify individuals who overstay their permitted duration, combat illegal migration, and prevent identity fraud. This initiative comes amidst increasing political pressure within EU member states for stricter migration policies. According to European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, the EES serves as "the digital backbone of our new common European framework on migration and asylum," emphasizing that all third-country nationals crossing external borders will undergo identity verification, security checks, and registration in EU databases.

Under the new regulations, non-EU citizens, including UK tourists, will be required to submit specific biometric data upon their first entry into the Schengen area or the other participating European countries. This includes registering fingerprints and providing a photograph. For subsequent travels, only biometric verification of identity will be necessary. The system also records personal information from travel documents, dates and places of entry and exit, and instances of entry refusal. It is crucial for travelers to comply, as refusal to provide biometric data will result in denial of entry, with stays limited to 90 days within any 180-day period.

The EES applies to a total of 29 countries within the Schengen area, encompassing nations like Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, 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. Notably, the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen area and are therefore excluded from the EES requirements. Checks for inbound travel to the EU via the EES will also be conducted at UK locations such as the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel terminals at Folkestone and St Pancras International.

Specific guidelines apply to children: while all ages are required to provide biometric data, children under 12 are exempt from fingerprint scans but must still provide a photo. Children aged 12 and over are subject to both fingerprint and photo submission. Tourists do not need to pre-register any data before traveling; the initial biometric submission occurs upon arrival at the destination.

The implementation process is gradual, having started in locations like major Italian airports (Fiumicino, Malpensa) and ports (Genoa, Civitavecchia), as well as in Stuttgart, Germany. The full rollout across all participating EU Member States is projected to take approximately six months from its commencement. The EES is expected to be fully operational by April 10, 2026, when traditional passport stamps will be entirely phased out in favor of electronic records. While initial warnings suggest potential longer waiting times at border control during the system's introduction, due to the data collection process, the EES is ultimately anticipated to streamline travel and reduce queue times once travelers are registered, with registrations lasting for three years.