at the border ✦

EES: what the new EU border checks mean at Dover, St Pancras and UK airports

Last checked 15 Oct 2026 against the official EU EES pages and GOV.UK.

The EU's Entry/Exit System, EES, is already running. If you travel from the UK to most of Europe on a UK passport, you may be asked to give a photo and fingerprints the first time you cross. This guide sets out what the EU and GOV.UK say about what is collected, where the checks happen for Dover, Folkestone, St Pancras and UK airports, how much longer they may take, who is exempt and what applies to children.

What is the EES?

The Entry/Exit System is an automated IT system that registers non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries. It is gradually replacing manual passport stamping with a digital record. Source: EU: what is the EES?.

When did EES start?

GOV.UK says EES started on 12 October 2025. The EU introduced it gradually and says the progressive implementation lasted until 9 April 2026, and that from 10 April 2026 it has been fully operational at all external border crossing points of the countries using it. Sources: GOV.UK: EU Entry/Exit System and EU: EES FAQs.

What does EES collect?

the data in your travel document, such as your full name and date of birth
the date and place of each entry and exit
your facial image and fingerprints (biometric data)
whether you were refused entry

If you refuse to provide biometric data you will be denied entry. Source: EU: data held by the EES. GOV.UK says there is no cost for EES registration, you do not need to provide anything before you travel, and your digital record is valid for three years.

Where will the checks happen?

This is the part that is different for UK travellers, because the UK has juxtaposed border controls. GOV.UK says that if you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle at Folkestone or Eurostar from St Pancras International, any EES checks are completed at the border before you leave the UK. For air travel and for ferry services leaving from other ports, you are registered at the border on arrival in the destination country.

Eurostar, St Pancras: UK and non-EU travellers may be asked to use self-service pre-registration kiosks, located in three areas of the station, before going through the ticket gates.
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, Folkestone: a purpose-built pre-registration area with self-service kiosks for non-EU and UK passengers.
Port of Dover: a purpose-built processing area for EES checks at the new Western Docks. Follow the advice from the Port of Dover and your travel operator.
Airports and other ferry ports: registered on arrival at the destination country's border.

Source: GOV.UK: EU Entry/Exit System. Always follow the directions of your travel operator, port or airport.

How it works the first time and after that

The first time you cross since EES started, you provide your personal data and a passport control officer takes a photo of your face and/or scans your fingerprints, which is recorded in a digital file. Your passport is not stamped. You can register some of your data in advance on a self-service kiosk or in a mobile app where one is offered. On later crossings your photo and fingerprints are already on file, so officers only verify them, which the EU says takes less time. If you hold a biometric passport and your file is clear, you may be able to use the self-service system and often will not need to go to an officer. Source: EU: how does the EES work?.

How much longer will the border take?

GOV.UK says EES may take each passenger extra time, so you should be prepared to wait longer than usual, especially at busy times. The official EU and GOV.UK pages we checked do not publish a waiting time in minutes, so we have not quoted one. For live conditions on the day, check your operator and port, for example the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel or Eurostar. Source: GOV.UK: EU Entry/Exit System.

Who is exempt from the EES?

The EU says the EES does not apply to, among others:

nationals of the European countries using the EES, as well as Cyprus and Ireland
holders of residence permits and long-stay visas
non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national
nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, and holders of a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See
people holding a valid local border traffic permit
certain categories such as diplomats, NATO personnel and train crew on international journeys

The full list is on the EU page To whom does the EES not apply?. GOV.UK adds that some UK nationals are exempt, should not register, and should present their exempting documentation to a border guard. If a record is created for them it should be deleted. Cruise passengers: sailings that start and finish outside the Schengen area are usually exempt from EES checks for day trips into it, though port authorities may still require them.

Children and families

The EES applies to non-EU nationals on a short stay, including children. The EU's EES FAQ says that currently the fingerprints of children below 12 years old are not scanned, even if they are subject to the EES. Source: EU: EES FAQs. Follow the instructions at the kiosk or from the border officer for your family's situation, and tell border staff early if you expect any difficulty completing biometric checks.

Does it apply to Ireland and Cyprus?

No. GOV.UK says EES does not apply when travelling to the Republic of Ireland or Cyprus, and the EU says passports are still stamped manually in those two countries. Source: GOV.UK: EU Entry/Exit System and EU: what is the EES?.

What about ETIAS?

ETIAS is separate: an online travel authorisation with a €20 fee that is not running yet and has no confirmed start date. Read our guide to ETIAS for UK travellers.

Before you travel: three things worth packing

Longer border checks mean more time on your feet and more time with your phone out. These are the three things we would have in the bag.

GO PAC Travel Plug Adapter, £14.99, with two USB ports.
GO PAC Memory Foam Travel Pillow, £14.99, for the flight, train or coach once the checks are done.
Personalised Name Water Bottle, £24.99, a 500ml steel bottle with your name printed on it.

Free UK delivery on every order. Personalised items are made to order, so they cannot be returned unless they arrive faulty or damaged. See shipping and returns.

Frequently asked questions

What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The EES is an automated IT system that registers non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries using it. It is replacing the manual stamping of passports.

Is EES in operation now?

Yes. GOV.UK says the EES started on 12 October 2025. The EU says it was introduced gradually until 9 April 2026 and has been fully operational at all external border crossing points of the countries using it from 10 April 2026.

Do I need to do anything before I travel?

No. GOV.UK says you do not need to provide any information before you travel and there is no cost for EES registration. The EU says you can register some details in advance on a self-service kiosk or in a mobile app where the country of arrival or departure provides one.

What does the EES collect?

The EES records the data in your travel document such as your full name and date of birth, the date and place of each entry and exit, your facial image and fingerprints, and whether you were refused entry.

Where will I be checked at Dover, Folkestone or St Pancras?

At the UK end. GOV.UK says that if you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle at Folkestone or Eurostar from St Pancras, any EES checks are completed before you leave the UK. By air, or on ferries from other ports, you are registered on arrival at the border in the destination country.

Will EES make queues longer?

GOV.UK says EES may take each passenger extra time and to be prepared to wait longer than usual, especially at busy times. The official pages we checked do not publish a waiting time. The EU says checks should get faster once your details are on file, because officers then only verify your photo and fingerprints.

What happens if I refuse to give my fingerprints or photo?

The EU says that if you refuse to provide your biometric data you will be denied entry to the countries using the EES.

Are children checked under EES?

Children are registered like other non-EU travellers. The EU's EES FAQ says the fingerprints of children below 12 years old are not scanned, even if they are subject to the EES.

Who is exempt from the EES?

The EU lists exemptions including nationals of the EU countries using the EES, plus Cyprus and Ireland, holders of residence permits and long-stay visas, nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, and certain family members and other categories. GOV.UK says some UK nationals are exempt and should show their exempting documents to a border guard instead of registering.

Does EES apply when I travel to Ireland or Cyprus?

No. GOV.UK says EES is not applicable when travelling to Ireland or Cyprus, and the EU says passports are still stamped manually there.

How long does my EES record last?

GOV.UK says your digital EES record is valid for three years.

Is the EES the same as ETIAS?

No. The EES registers your entries and exits and your biometric data at the border and is already running. ETIAS is a separate online travel authorisation with a €20 fee that has not started yet and has no confirmed date.

Official sources used

This guide summarises official information for UK travellers and is not legal or immigration advice. GO PAC is a travel accessories shop and is not affiliated with the EU, the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel or Eurostar.