The EES rollout was originally planned for November 2024, but will start on 12 October 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There will be a phased rollout across Schengen-area borders, with full implementation scheduled to be in place by 10 April 2026. At this point passport stamps will be completely phased out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the EES has launched, on your first visit to the Schengen\/EU area you will be required to provide fingerprints and a facial photo at entry points via kiosks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After that first entry (and during the three years after), you may need to supply a single biometric verification (fingerprint or photo).<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s worth noting that children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but will still require a facial image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While EES checks for those arriving by plane will take place in the destination country, Dover, Folkestone and London St Pancras will all host their own pre-departure checks, with EES checks taking place on UK soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It seems likely this will mean you will need to allow extra time for pre-departure checks. Travellers may need to exit their vehicle to complete biometric checks, which could add around five minutes per vehicle, with longer delays possible during peak periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’d like impartial advice on choosing your ski holiday for this winter, please contact the Chaletline team on 01822 617761<\/p>\n\n\n\n Skiers and snowboarders heading to Europe this winter will be among the first to use the new Entry\/Exit System (EES) when they cross the border. The EES is a new digital border control system replacing \u2018wet\u2019 passport stamping for non-EU\/EEA\/Swiss …<\/p>\n![\"British_Passport\"](\"https:\/\/chaletline.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/British_Passport.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat to expect<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ferry, Eurotunnel and Eurostar Departures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAdvice on ski holidays this winter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
EES Summary Details<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Start Date<\/strong><\/td> 12 October 2025<\/td><\/tr> Full Implementation<\/strong><\/td> 10 April 2026<\/td><\/tr> Requirement<\/strong><\/td> Biometric data (fingerprints + photo) on first entry; partial biometrics on later visits<\/td><\/tr> Kids (<12 years)<\/strong><\/td> Photo only<\/td><\/tr> Where it affects UK travellers<\/strong><\/td> Pre-departure checks at Dover, Folkestone, St Pancras<\/td><\/tr> Expected Delays<\/strong><\/td> Additional 5\u20136 min at least per vehicle; longer during peak times<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chaletline.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/British_Passport-137x190.jpg<\/a>