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by Dale Robinson
-27 September 2024
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Home > Latest News > How will new EU border rules impact UK travellers?
How will new EU border rules impact UK travellers?
IMPORTANT: We cannot offer advice or guidance on this topic. Please do visit the official website for more information and queries.
The European Union is set to introduce its new “Entry/Exit System in November*, which will apply to all travellers entering the EU from the UK.
What is the EU’s new entry/exit system?
The EES is an automated system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross external borders to countries using the system.
It serves as a digtial database of the arrival and departure dates of people visiting the EU, keeping records of your biometric data and information from your travel document.
The aim of the EES is to make Europe safer and crossing its borders easier.
It will bring an end to passport stamping, modernising passport control and ultimately reduce wait times.
The EU have labelled it “the most modern digital border management system in the world”.
What do I need to provide?
EES will register the date and place of entry or exit, plus fingerprints and a facial biometric.
So, if you are visiting an EU country from the UK for a short stay after 10th November, you will now need to:
- register fingerprints
- and a photo with your passport details
A short stay means up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Which countries are using the EES system?
The following countries are using the new entry/exist system:
| Austria | Denmark | Greece | Liechenstein | Norway | Slovenia |
| Belgium | Estonia | Hungary | Lithuania | Poland | Spain |
| Bulgaria | Finland | Iceland | Luxembourg | Portugal | Sweden |
| Croatia | France | Italy | Malta | Romania | Switzerland |
| Czech Republic | Germany | Latvia | Netherlands | Slovakia |
The new system will not apply in Cyprus and Ireland and despite these countries being countries of the EU, passports will still be stamped manually.
How long will my registration be valid?
British travellers are restricted to 90 days’ stay in any 180 day period within the Schengen area.
Every time you enter or exit a participating European country this will be recorded and once travellers have given their fingerprints and details, that registration will be valid for three years.
*The proposed date is 10th November but this is subject to delays.
You can download the official leaflet for more information.
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