twenty second July 2025
The EU Entry-Exit System, EES, will begin to be rolled out from October twelfth and be progressively applied over a six-month interval that coincides with the ski season. NEW
The phased rollout of the brand new biometric border guidelines will final till April ninth 2026 earlier than the scheme is absolutely operational in any respect EU borders from April tenth.
Till the tip of the transition interval member states will proceed to manually stamp journey paperwork.
It would have an effect on all UK skiers and snowboarders heading to the mountains in mainland Europe subsequent season.
EES will probably be an automatic IT system for registering travellers from non-EU international locations, together with the UK because it has left the EU, every time they cross a border into or out of the EU.
At present most UK residents can solely spend 90 days out of 180 in an EU or Schengen space nation.
Previous to Brexit there was limitless and free motion.
The brand new system would require all non-EU residents to supply fingerprints and facial biometrics when crossing the border into the EU for the primary time.
This information will probably be held on file for 3 years.
Youngsters below the age of 12 is not going to have their fingerprints taken.
The goal of EES is to switch handbook passport stamping and enhance border safety and effectivity.
The system has seen quite a few delays and postponements:
Some airports have acquired supply of the brand new tools, but it surely has laid idle.
EES tools. Picture c/o PlanetSKI
“The affirmation of a 12 October begin date for the phased introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) supplies readability for the journey trade and permits ABTA members to start advising their clients on the modifications, mentioned the Chief Govt of the Affiliation of British Journey Brokers, Mark Tanzer.
“Within the run-up to EES phased implementation it can be crucial there’s a clear communication plan from each the EU and the UK Authorities.”
“That is so UK travellers know what’s anticipated of them and to construct confidence within the new course of.
“We additionally encourage EU member states to undertake the EES app, as quickly as doable.
“The app will enable travellers to supply info upfront and lower down EES processing instances at airports and ports.”
There stay issues about delays it could trigger to already over-crowded airports.


Geneva airport. Picture © PlanetSKI
The EU has additionally confirmed that European Journey Info and Authorisation System (Etias) will probably be launched between October and December 2026.
The price for that is anticipated to treble from €7 (£6) to €20 (£17).
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