Everything you need to know about the new European entry rules next month – and how it will affect your holiday

NEXT month, new travel rules are being rolled out that will affect all Brits heading to Europe.

From October 12, non-EU citizens – which includes Brits – entering the Schengen area will begin to use the new Entry/Exit System (EES), which will eventually replace manual passport stamping.

New travel rules means Brits will have to register biometric details to enter Europe[/caption]

Under the new rules, travellers will need to provide four of their fingerprints and a facial image.

These will then be stored for three years to track travellers movements into and out of the Schengen Area, helping to enforce the maximum stay rule of 90days within any 180day period.

However, the new rules will not be fully implemented on October 12; instead, there will be a phased roll-out across the 29 countries’ external borders over six months.

For example, if you are heading off on holiday on October 13, you may not be required to give your biometric data.

The EES phased roll-out should then be complete by April 9 and fully operational by April 10, 2026.

Until then, passports will continue to be stamped manually.

Digitising border crossings into Europe should help make border checks more efficient and secure, as well as aid border forces in identifying criminals.

However, during the phased roll-out there could be delays as travellers register their biometric data.

According to GOV.UK: “When EES is introduced, you may need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival.

“You will need to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths.

“You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country.

“If you are flying to a country in the Schengen area, you will complete EES checks when you arrive at your destination.

“The checks may take a few minutes, so be prepared to wait during busy times.”

Travellers will only need to submit their biometric data the first time they cross into or out of the EU on or after October 12.

Children under the age of 12 years old will not need to have their fingerprints taken.

For Brits heading on holiday during the October half-term, this means they may need to have their fingerprints and facial biometrics taken, which could result in lengthy wait times for travellers heading off on half-term getaways.

EES was set to be introduced in November of last year; however, this was pushed back after some member states complained that the new technology had not been tested enough.

The rules are set to come into force on October 12[/caption]

The scheme will also apply to the Eurostar and the Port of Dover with the EES checks being completed at the border, before holidaymakers leave the UK.

For cruise holidays, trips that start and finish their journey outside of the Schengen area, like Southampton in the UK for example, “will generally be exempt from EES checks, including for any day trips into the Schengen area that are part of their itinerary”, according to GOV.UK.

However, travellers who leave a cruise ship within the Schengen area and travel to another destination, will need to complete EES checks.

How will border checks look different for British travellers?

From October 12, Brits crossing a Schengen border for the first time since EES was introduced, will need to give personal data to passport control officers.

Travellers will scan their fingerprints and/or take a photo of their face and these details will be recorded in a digital file.

Once you have submitted this information, you won’t need to do it again for three years.

During that time, each time travellers cross into or out of the EU, passport control officers will scan your fingerprint and photo.

Here’s a round-up of all the new travel rules Brits will face in 2025, from biometric checks to visa waivers.

Plus, Brits are set to face even pricier new visas when travelling to Europe – despite not even launching yet.

The roll-out will be phased though, eventually becoming fully operational by April 10, 2026[/caption]