EU’s New Border System: What 61% of British Travellers Don’t Know (And What It Means for Your Next Flight)

EU has now formally launched the Entry/Exit System (EES) for Third Country Nationals (TCNs) from 12^th October 2025. This regulation could have an implementation interval of 6 months. The journey and commerce fraternity have blended reactions of its clean utility. Read on to seek out out extra…

For airports, this implies managing new passenger flows

Andy Smith, Director, Borders at SITA, stated: “The introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) marks one of the largest operational adjustments at Europe’s air borders in many years. Border officers now want to gather biometric information, examine passports, and register Third Country Nationals (TCNs) instantly right into a central EU system. For airports, this implies managing new passenger flows and ensuring these checks don’t trigger longer queues or missed connections, particularly at peak occasions.

Every Member State should observe the identical EU border administration laws, operational steering from Frontex, and technical requirements set by eu-LISA. This ensures that the appropriate information is captured securely and that nationwide programs can speak to the EU’s central database. It’s a fancy transition that requires preparation, coordination, and dependable EES know-how to maintain issues transferring easily.

Phased EES rollout might assist scale back strain

The EU’s phased EES rollout might assist scale back strain within the early days, nevertheless it additionally creates uncertainty. Not all European airports will change on on the identical time, and passengers, airways, and airports want clear data to plan accordingly. Communicating rollout plans early and clearly, and inspiring the use of EES pre-registration apps the place accessible, will probably be key to minimizing confusion and guaranteeing smoother journeys.

Workable options on the bottom wanted

This is why it’s essential to work intently with governments and border businesses to translate these guidelines and finest practices into sensible, workable options on the bottom. Our EES border administration system, for instance, builds on know-how developed by means of partnerships with greater than 75 governments worldwide. It connects securely to the EU’s central platform and permits vacationers to register their biometrics rapidly at self-service kiosks and eGates. This helps scale back queues for passengers and frees up border officers to concentrate on the checks that matter most.

Biometric border checks

The EU Entry/Exit System can also be half of a broader international shift in direction of biometric border checks. By making ready early, utilizing confirmed know-how, and speaking clearly with your complete journey ecosystem, governments can scale back disruption whereas enhancing safety. Our function is to assist them each step of the way in which.”

ABTA calls for nations to increase the use of egates and undertake the EES

New information from ABTA – The Travel Association reveals 61% of individuals attributable to journey to Europe over the following 12 months are already conscious of the introduction of EU Entry/Exit System¹.

ABTA says that 61% is an encouraging degree for the launch day of a scheme which can take some six months to be totally launched. However, ABTA additionally believes that there must be a continued and concerted effort throughout the journey trade to proceed to make individuals conscious of the adjustments, notably because the phasing in means individuals’s particular person journey experiences will fluctuate over the following six months.

The Association says individuals ought to pay cautious consideration to any data offered by their journey firm and transport supplier, about when they need to arrive at airports or ports.

Delays at peak journey occasions

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association stated: “In the long term, EES ought to make processes faster and less complicated for journey to Europe.

“Looking on the brief time period, given the size of the operation, there could also be some delays, notably at peak journey occasions. But nations will probably be stepping up their processes steadily and have the choice to face down the system to keep away from vital and prolonged ready occasions. We ask that nations stay vigilant and use this contingency measure the place wanted.

“In the longer term, as soon as EES is totally rolled out, no passport stamping will probably be wanted and the system may enable extra locations to increase the use of egates to UK residents. Currently, not each nation in Europe permits UK travellers to make use of these, so we’re urging extra nations to permit entry to egates. It’s good that many locations are already doing so, as was my expertise travelling by means of Palma airport this week.

App for EES sooner or later

“There can also be the choice for nations to make use of an app for EES sooner or later, which might enable travellers to enter data prematurely; we urge all nations concerned in EES to look to introduce the app.

“Increasing entry to egates and utilizing the EES app will make passport management checks faster, serving to each travellers and border authorities.

“If you have booked a holiday through an ABTA travel company, you can feel reassured that they understand the system and can advise you in advance of your travels.”

Travellers ought to now allocate 4 hours for navigating the brand new system in Southern Europe

Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, acknowledged: “As EES comes into pressure this Sunday, non-EU travellers, together with the bulk of British Citizens, will probably be mandated to register their biometric particulars upon each arrival and departure from the Schengen space. This will embrace fingerprints, images, and the availability of data on their reasoning for visiting the EU. It will probably be carried out steadily over the following six months, nevertheless, for main airports in Southern Europe, we advocate that travellers now allocate 4 hours for navigating the brand new system in these preliminary levels in addition to guaranteeing they’ve all of the related paperwork ready forward of time with a purpose to have a clean journey.

Travellers ought to contemplate off-peak occasions

Where potential, travellers ought to contemplate off-peak occasions as this could scale back the chance of delays. Furthermore, delays ought to be anticipated for flights arriving on the identical time to those journey hubs, as we foresee probably overwhelming volumes of travellers through the preliminary rollout part. This ought to settle over the following few weeks as employees and travellers familiarise themselves with the brand new procedures. Those travelling through the Eurostar at Kings Cross St Pancras could also be affected by delays because of the implementation of automated kiosks to check-in for journeys and the Port of Dover is constant to increase its kiosk provisions which it’s going to roll out to attempt to keep away from delays. We strongly advise travellers to seek the advice of with their journey brokers prematurely regarding any potential apprehensions.”