Overview

• The system is now live in phases across the external borders of 29 Schengen countries, with Ireland and Cyprus not participating.
• First-time entrants must register by scanning their passport and providing a facial image and fingerprints, with children under 12 exempt from fingerprinting and refusal resulting in denied entry.
• Registration is free, completed at the border, and remains valid for three years or until the linked passport expires.
• To manage queues during the introduction, major countries such as France and Germany are limiting initial checks and authorities can temporarily suspend EES processing.
• Checks at Dover, Folkestone and London St Pancras occur before departure with £10.5m UK government support, and EES will replace passport stamping as groundwork for the ETIAS authorisation expected in 2026.