Metro
The first two countries rolling out the EU's new fingerprint system in 12 days
Passport control in Europe is about to look a whole lot different.
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EU Introduces Biometric Entry System for British Travelers Starting October 2025
Brussels, Belgium – British passport holders planning travel to Europe will encounter significant changes at the border starting October 12, 2025, with the implementation of the new Entry/Exit System (EES). This digital system will replace traditional passport stamps with biometric data collection, including facial scans and four fingerprints, for all non-EU citizens, including those from the United Kingdom. Upon their first entry under the new system, travelers will be required to register their biometric data, which will then be linked to their passport and stored for a period of three years. A key aspect of the EES is its ability to automatically track the length of stay for visitors. Should a British traveler overstay the permitted 90-day limit within any 180-day period, their data will be retained for five years, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and 'flagging' on subsequent trips to the Schengen Area. The European Union states that the primary objectives of the EES are to enhance border security, improve the detection of overstayers, and modernize the entry and exit process by replacing the less reliable manual passport stamping system. The full digital transformation of all Schengen borders is anticipated to be completed by April 2026. Travelers are advised to prepare for potentially longer queues during the initial rollout phase as the new procedures are integrated.
