Travelers are advised to conduct three essential checks before heading to the airport to comply with the new EU regulations. The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully enforced at European airports starting from April 10, 2025. This mandates all UK citizens traveling to the Schengen area to register their biometric data, including fingerprints and a photo, to create a digital record.
The digital border system has replaced traditional passport stamping. Once registered, the EES is valid for three years, although it is only required for the initial entry into the Schengen area. The implementation of the EES has led to extensive queues and delays of up to four hours at airports across Europe as British holidaymakers comply with the new system.
Adam Edinburgh, the Head of Travel and New Products at Post Office Insurance, cautioned that travelers could face longer queues initially due to biometric data collection, which takes several minutes per person. To avoid missing flights or connections, passengers should plan alternative routes or transport options in case of delays.
Before traveling, Brits are urged to perform three crucial checks to ensure a smooth journey under the EES. According to Adam, travelers undergo biometric registration at border kiosks or e-gates during their first entry, capturing facial images, fingerprints (if visa-exempt), passport details, and entry/exit information. Subsequent visits will be quicker as the data is already stored, with no pre-registration required as registration occurs at the border during the initial entry.
Countries in the Schengen area include 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. The EES is not mandatory for travel to the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus, as they are not part of the Schengen area. Additionally, Greece has relaxed its EU requirements for Brits, eliminating the need for biometric details.
For travel insurance, visit the Post Office website before your next trip, or refer to the government website for detailed information on the new EES system. If you have a travel story to share, email webtravel@reachplc.com.