Overview
- The EU switched on the Entry/Exit System on 12 October with a staged rollout to full operation by 10 April 2026.
- Non‑EU arrivals must have passports scanned plus fingerprints and a facial image recorded, with children under 12 exempt from fingerprinting.
- First‑time registrations create a digital record valid for three years that logs entries, exits and refusals to help enforce stay limits.
- Kiosk checks are being carried out at UK departure points including Dover, Eurotunnel Folkestone and London St Pancras, with only a proportion of passengers processed initially.
- Officials estimate one to two minutes per traveller, yet operators advise allowing extra time—up to four hours at some airports—while authorities may pause checks to ease congestion.