How all non-European Union citizens, including British visitors, travel to and from the bloc has changed from today as its long-delayed new biometric entry-check system started operations, El.kz cites newseu.cgtn.com.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will require all non-EU nationals arriving for short stays in all EU countries – except Cyprus and Ireland – to provide their passport number and fingerprints, and have their photo taken at automated kiosks.

The same requirements will apply in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway – members of the EU-based but wider European Economic Area – and Switzerland.

The bloc's biggest countries, including France and Germany, will carry out only a handful of checks in a bid to avoid huge queues at airports.

"This is a significant step towards a more secure and efficient border management system for the EU," said EU spokesman Markus Lammert.

Data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossings with full implementation by April 10, 2026, giving the EU confidence there will not be long queues at the border.

 

Why is the EU introducing this new system?

The new electronic system will remove the requirement to manually stamp passports at the EU’s external border and instead create digital records that link a travel document to a person's identity using biometrics.

It will not require visas to obtain visas before travel.

The EU wants to modernize the management of its external borders, prevent illegal migration, combat identity fraud, and identify overstayers.

It will monitor whether people who are travelling to the bloc without a visa are sticking to its rule limiting visitors to 90 days' stay within any 180-day period.