Brussels and member states refuse to provide definitive list of nations introducing Entry/Exit System
EU countries have refused to give the UK more detail on their new border scheme (Image: Getty)
EU countries have refused to say whether they are introducing a new border system that could leave British holidaymakers facing huge airport delays. The Home Office had asked for a list of airports that will introduce the Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires passengers to have their passports scanned and their fingerprints and photographs taken.
But with less than 48 hours to go before the new rules come into place, Brussels and EU member states have refused to provide a definitive list, leaving the UK in the dark over potentially huge delays for travellers. The UK does not know how many airports will be introducing the new checks on Sunday, the Daily Express understands. From Sunday, British passport holders will need to register on their first visit to an EU country.
Officials are seemingly relying on piecing together potential flashpoints from media reports and conversations with some Governments.
Three countries – Estonia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic – say they will be operating the entry-exit system for all arrivals and departures from day one, 12 October 2025.
Germany will begin with a single airport – Dusseldorf, while Norway will introduce new checks at Oslo.
Spain, the most popular nation for British holidaymakers, will initially only test the EES with a single flight arriving at Madrid airport on the first day of the system.
It is not clear when other major air gateways, including Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Tenerife, as well as Palma, will follow.
Officials do not believe there is a fractious relationship with EU countries and stressed the gradual rollout of the scheme will help airlines and the Home Office identify potential crises.
Minister for border security and asylum, Alex Norris, said: “We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible.
“The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders, and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration.”
Minister for aviation, maritime and decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said: “We’ve backed our ports and operators with £10.5million to help them get ready for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, ensuring they have the infrastructure and systems in place to manage the changes.
“Our priority is to minimise disruption for travellers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings. We’ll continue working closely with European partners and local resilience forums to keep traffic flowing and journeys smooth.”
For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK.
Delays are also being anticipated for Eurotunnel, Eurostar and Port of Dover passengers.
The EU has introduced EES to replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, helping them to track compliance with the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen their border control.
Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules, all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.
