Foreign Office issuees warning for Brits heading to Europe | Personal Finance | Finance
The Foreign Office has issued a warning to British travellers heading to Europe during the winter months. From October 2025, the European Union started implementing its new Entry/Exit System (EES), requiring non-EU nationals, including British citizens, to register biometric information at the border.
This involves having a facial photograph captured and fingerprints scanned. The scheme is being introduced at multiple airports throughout the so-called Schengen zone, designed to cut down waiting times at passport control.
Information collected through the system will establish a digital profile connected to individual passports. Numerous EU nations have either already implemented the new system or are currently in the process of introducing it.
The FCDO Travel Advice posted on X: «Travelling to Europe for the winter markets? The EU has introduced new border checks.
«Your fingerprints and photo may be taken at the EU border.»
However, it’s believed that traditional passport stamping will remain in place alongside EES registration throughout the Schengen area during the initial six months of the scheme’s rollout.
All the countries that use EES
Currently, the following countries will have EES applied to them, according to the EU:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Additional guidance from the Foreign Office explains: «If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, when you arrive. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.»
The sole exception to border processing in a Schengen nation occurs if you enter the Schengen zone via the Port of Dover, St Pancras International, or Eurotunnel at Folkestone. In these instances, you will need to complete the EES check prior to departing the UK.
The Foreign Office further states: «Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.»
Travellers exempt from EES registration.
Certain travellers may be exempt from registering their biometric information on the new system. According to the EU website, you do not need to use the system if the following circumstances apply: You are a non-EU national possessing a residence card or permit and are directly related to a non-EU national who enjoys the same travel privileges as an EU citizen.
People who do not have to register on EES
Some travellers may not need to register their biometric data on the new system. According to the EU website, you do not need to use the system if the following apply:
- You are a non-EU national who holds a residence card or permit and are immediately related to a non-EU national who can travel through Europe like an EU citizen
- You are a national of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino and hold a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See
- You are a diplomat on a short stay (under certain conditions)
- You are a national of a European country using EES, such as Cyprus and Ireland
- People exempt from border checks dueto certain privileges e.g. a head of state
- You are a non-EU national who holds a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national
- You hold a residence permit or long-stay visa
- You are a non-EU national travelling to Europe as part of an intra-corporate transfer for the purpose of research, studies, training, pupil exchange, voluntary services, educational projects, or au-pairing
