Major rule changes are set to affect UK tourists from October, with motorhome and caravan owners among those most affected by the updates.
New rules could impact caravan and motorhome owners in October (Image: Getty)
Motorhome and caravan owners across the UK could be affected by a major new rule coming into effect in a matter of weeks. Caravan owners heading to Europe on holiday could be caught out by a new Entry/Exit System (EES) expected to launch from the middle of October.
The EES system is a new digital border that will change the requirements for UK tourists when entering Schengen area countries. The new EES is expected to start operations on October 12, 2025, with European countries set to introduce the system gradually. New rules mean visitors will have to register their biometric details, such as giving up their fingerprints and a photo when they arrive at the border.
New Entry/Exit System rules come into effect in weeks (Image: Getty)
The new EES registration is set to replace the current system of manually stamping passports but is expected to take longer for each passenger to get through the gate.
Full implementation of the new system is expected to be completed by 10 April 2026 with caravan and motorhome owners among those affected.
Experts at Lifesure have stressed that these road users should expect “delays” when visiting ports to travel across to the continent.
They said: “When travelling from ports like Dover, Folkestone (Eurotunnel), and Portsmouth there are to be delays as UK travellers register their biometrics for the first time. French border control (Police aux Frontières) will be responsible for processing travellers at Calais, Dunkirk, and other key entry points.
“If you tour Europe for long trips, you need to carefully track your stay length to avoid overstaying. The system automatically logs your days in the Schengen area, making it easier for border officials to fine or ban travellers who exceed their limit.”
EES rules only apply to people, meaning that details around the motorhome, caravan, or campervan won’t be recorded by officials.
Countries inside the Schengen area, which are set to implement the new EES service for UK tourists, include some of its most popular destinations.
29 countries are listed, making up much of Western and Eastern Europe, including tourist hotspots such as Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The system was originally scheduled to be introduced back in 2022 but the concept had been pushed back due to technical delays.
