Before embarking on a trip, a travel specialist highlighted three essential steps that travelers should take in light of the recent EU regulations.
Effective April 10, 2025, the European Union put into full operation its Entry/Exit System (EES) across European airports. This mandates that all UK citizens traveling to the Schengen area must “create a digital record” by registering their biometric data, which includes fingerprints and a photo.
The new digital border control system has replaced the traditional passport stamping process. Once registered, the EES remains valid for three years. Despite being necessary only for the initial entry into the Schengen area, the implementation has led to significant disruptions as numerous British travelers engage with the new system, resulting in lengthy queues and delays of up to four hours at various European airports.
Adam Edinburgh, the Head of Travel and New Products at Post Office Insurance, cautioned travelers about potential delays due to the time-consuming biometric data collection process during the initial phase at the airport.
He advised passengers to prepare alternate travel routes or modes of transport if operating on a tight schedule to mitigate any delays caused by technical issues or incomplete information that could lead to missed flights, ferries, or connections.
Additionally, the travel expert recommended three crucial checks for British travelers to conduct before departing for the airport to ensure a smooth journey following the EES rollout.
Describing the EES procedure, Adam explained that first-time visitors would undergo biometric registration at border kiosks or e-gates, involving the capture of facial images, fingerprints (if visa-exempt), passport details, and entry/exit information.
For subsequent visits, the process is expedited as the data is already on record. Notably, no pre-registration is necessary; registration takes place at the border during the initial entry.
The Schengen area comprises several countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Travel to the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus does not require the EES system as they are not part of the Schengen area; Greece has also relaxed its biometric data requirements for UK citizens.
For travel insurance ahead of your next journey, you can visit the Post Office website or access the government website for detailed information on the new EES system.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
At Reach and our affiliated entities, we and our partners use cookies and other device identifiers to enhance site experience, analyze usage patterns, and provide personalized ads. You can opt out of data sharing at any time by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the page. Please note that preferences are specific to each browser. By using our site and services, you agree to cookie usage and consent to our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.
