Brits facing extra EU border checks, as 'technical difficulties' hamper new system

British travellers heading on their spring and summer holidays face changes at borders after the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES).

The EES, which replaces passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, began its much-delayed rollout on 12 October 2025 and is scheduled to become fully operational across all Schengen area border crossing points from Friday 10 April.

But not all countries appear ready to start processing "third-country nationals", including the British, in accordance with the rules laid down by Brussels.

Which countries will have the Entry/Exit System?

It will apply to 29 European countries in the Schengen area free travel zone - 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries.

Here's the full list:

• 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

Manual passport stamping will continue to be used in Ireland and Cyprus.

Who does it apply to?

The system applies if you are a non-EU national, including from the UK, who is travelling to an EU country for a short stay, which means up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Children under the age of 12 will be exempt from giving fingerprints, but they will still need to have their faces scanned for the system.

There are some exemptions, which are listed here.

How will it work?

The EES will register the person's name, type of travel document, biometric data - fingerprints and captured facial images - and the date and place of entry and exit.

When you first visit one of the listed countries after the EES is adopted, you will need to register your details at an automated kiosk.

In normal circumstances, you will complete the EES checks when you arrive at your destination airport or port in a purpose-built booth.

However, if you enter one of the countries through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, EES checks will be completed at the border before you leave the UK. EES kiosks have been installed specifically for this purpose.

This will mean passengers will have to get out of their cars to register at the Eurotunnel terminal and the Port of Dover. The latter will have an EES processing site at the Western docks.

Rollout supposed to be complete - but is it?

The European Commission has said the EES will be "fully operational" from Friday April 10 - but this is not the case across the board.

Arianna Podesta, deputy chief spokesperson for the European Commission, said in a news conference on Thursday: "We are well aware that despite the agreed timeline, a few member states are still encountering technical difficulties.

"In these months of the rollout, we have been in close contact with these member states."

She said that contact included "sharing best practices from the member states where the system is working very well".

According to travel expert Simon Calder, the digital border scheme is "unravelling".

He says countries such as France are still "far from ready", there are known problems connecting to the system's central database and the hopes of ending "wet stamping" at all frontiers by 10 April are no longer realistic.

France's technical issues are having a knock-on effect on the rollout for the Eurostar from St Pancras, Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover.

Spokespersons for Eurostar and Eurotunnel told Sky News that EES enrolments were being completed manually by border officers, rather than by the automated kiosks that have been installed at St Pancras, Folkestone and Coquelles in France for millions of pounds.

A Port of Dover spokesperson said the EES has not been rolled out there yet for the same reasons.

All companies said they were working closely with French authorities to get the new system up and running.

Among the biggest issues troubling the system generally, Mr Calder says, is each EU member state introducing it in its own way.

"These range from a single airport in the case of Luxembourg to nations with possibly dozens of airports, ferry ports, road and rail borders - such as France, Greece, Poland and Spain," Mr Calder says.

Mr Calder also says the long-planned European Travel Information and Authorisation System also looks "extremely unlikely to be in effect before the end of the year", despite repeated pledges that it will be.

What happens to your data?

Your digital EES record will be valid for three years before it has to be renewed.

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.

The European Commission says the data being collected when you use the EES is:

• The information listed in your travel document(s) (e.g. full name, date of birth, etc.)
• Date and place of each entry and exit
• Facial image and fingerprints
• Whether you were refused entry

This data will be stored in the system and cannot be transferred to third parties - except in specific cases, which you can read about here.

Your data will be used by countries for several reasons, including identifying travellers who aren't allowed to enter, finding those using fake identities, and helping to prevent and investigate serious crimes.

If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry.

Why is it being implemented?

The EU says the new system is aimed at making several improvements to the manual stamping system, which the European Commission views as time-consuming and unreliable in providing data on border crossings.

It says the EES will make border checks more modern, efficient, easier and faster. It says that once they are registered, travellers will spend less time at the border thanks to faster checks.

It is also aimed at preventing illegal migration. It says the EES will help track who comes in and out of the Schengen countries better than the old system, using fingerprint and face data to stop people from overstaying, using fake identities or misusing visa-free travel.

It also says the EES will increase security in the countries, giving the authorities access to important traveller information and helping them to spot security risks and support the fight against serious crimes and terrorism.

(c) Sky News 2026: Brits facing extra EU border checks, as 'technical difficulties' hamper new system