(1) New data from ABTA – The Travel Association, finds an increasing number of people know European countries are introducing a new electronic border process, called the EU Entry/Exit System.

More than half (51%) of people say they are aware of the upcoming requirements, up from 44% in 2024. 

It rises to 61% among those who have been on a holiday abroad over the last 12 months, suggesting those who travel abroad more regularly are more likely to know that changes are coming.

ABTA has released the data ahead of the launch of EES, which is scheduled for 12th October 2025. The new system has been expected for a while, and is coming into force almost a year after its original planned launch date of November 2024.

While more and more people are aware of the system, ABTA says people’s experience of it when it goes live will vary depending on where they are travelling, meaning travellers may initially see only limited changes, or indeed none, from their previous trips to Europe. 

This is because EES is being introduced in phases across a period of six months, building up to being fully operational by 10 April 2026 (see end for a summary of the phases). 

However, countries or borders that are ready to go live fully can do so earlier if they wish, with the option to scale back operations or stand down the system if problems occur. 

ABTA travel companies will be able to explain the changes to their customers and ABTA has advice available at abta.com/eesandetias. 

About EES

The EU Entry/Exit system is a new electronic system that will eventually replace the physical stamping of passports when you go through passport control when arriving in and departing from your destination. It will register all entries and exits to and from the participating European countries, which basically means it will register your movements every time you cross a border in or out of the EU/Schengen area.

Once the new system is live, when you go through passport control as well as providing your passport you will also need to have a photo of your face taken, and your fingerprints scanned.

Once you’ve gone through EES registration, you won’t need to do it again for another three years.

More information can be found at abta.com/eesandetias.

EES implementation phases

1. 12 October launch: At least one border point in each country should operate the new system, increasing to 10% of border points after the first 60 days.
2. December 2025: Borders operating EES start to take biometric checks (facial scan and/or fingerprints).
3. January 2026: Half of border points should be operating EES, with at least a third of passengers going through the system.
4. March 2026: All borders are operating EES and taking biometrics, processing at least half of passengers through the system.  
5. 10 April 2026: System fully live, with all borders processing all passengers through EES, and taking biometrics.

(1) Date from ABTA’s Holiday Habits research, which was conducted by research company the Nursery between 21st July - 1st August 2025, with a nationally representative over 2000 UK adults.