Overview

• Germany, France and the Netherlands have flagged insufficient on-site testing and infrastructure at external Schengen crossings as the EES rollout date nears.
• The Entry/Exit System will replace passport stamps with fingerprint and facial scans for all non-EU travelers from October 12, 2025 through April 10, 2026.
• The UK government warns travelers to expect longer processing times and is installing biometric kiosks at departure hubs including Dover, Folkestone and St Pancras.
• EES will record entry and exit data for three years and deny admission to non-EU nationals who refuse to provide biometric data.
• UK transport minister Guy Opperman has proposed a six-month soft launch with flexible traffic measures to prevent border bottlenecks.