Overview

• The EU’s biometric Entry‑Exit System is scheduled to start on October 12, 2025, with a six‑month phased rollout to full operation by April 10, 2026.
• Aviation economist Oliver Ranson warns Athens, Bucharest and Milan Malpensa are most at risk of severe queues, with potential flight diversions or cancellations if arrivals halls clog.
• Non‑EU travellers, including UK passport holders, will provide fingerprints and a facial image at first entry, creating a record valid for three years.
• The system replaces manual passport stamps and allows access to data by border officials and certain law‑enforcement bodies, including Europol.
• Preparation measures include 50 Eurostar kiosks, over 100 at Eurotunnel and 24 at the Port of Dover, backed by £3.5m each from the UK government, with operators predicting only a few extra minutes per journey.