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4w ago

EU Sets October Launch for Biometric Entry/Exit System at Schengen Borders

The phased system will replace passport stamps with digital biometric records from October through April 2026.

Britons travelling to the EU will need to physically input fingerprints, photos and other information at the UK border as part of a new digital system
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Overview

  • The EU’s Entry/Exit System is designed to modernise border management, curb overstays and identity fraud, and begins operating on October 12, 2025 with full deployment by April 10, 2026.
  • Non-EU short-stay visitors, including UK and Australian passport holders, must have their fingerprints and facial images recorded at designated booths when entering and leaving the Schengen area.
  • Port authorities at Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras are installing automated kiosks and expanding processing zones to manage expected longer queues and detailed questioning.
  • Biometric data and entry/exit records will be stored for up to three years without the need for re-registration if the records remain valid, and refusal to comply can result in denied entry.
  • The separate ETIAS online authorisation has been postponed to late 2026 and will require visa-exempt travellers to apply in advance with a €20 fee for up to three years of validity.