Foreign Office Revises Travel Guidance for 29 Nations as New EU Border System Takes Effect
The Foreign Office has issued updated travel advice for 29 countries, including major holiday destinations such as France, Spain, Greece, and Portugal. This revision comes as the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES) officially launched today, April 10, 2026, introducing significant changes for British travellers heading to the Schengen area.
New Digital Border Framework Replaces Manual Passport Stamping
The EES represents a major shift from the previous manual passport stamping procedure. Under the new system, British visitors to the Schengen area are now required to register biometric data, including fingerprints and a facial photograph, upon their initial arrival at airport borders within the zone. Importantly, this registration process is completely free of charge, and in most cases, travellers won't need to complete any preparation before reaching the border.
The updated guidance applies to travel to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
What Travellers Need to Know About the EES Process
The Foreign Office's revised travel guidance provides specific details about the new requirements:
- On your first visit to a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your biometric details at a special booth before proceeding to immigration.
- Follow directions from your travel operator or staff at your port of entry.
- You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when leaving the Schengen area.
- Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but may be required to have their photo taken.
- The EES process may take extra time, so be prepared for longer than usual waits at border crossings.
Important note: The EES framework does not apply to journeys to the Republic of Ireland or Cyprus, as these nations remain outside the Schengen area.
Specific Procedures for Different Entry Points
The guidance includes specific information for travellers using different entry points:
- If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone, or Eurostar at St Pancras International, your biometric information will be collected at the border before you leave the UK.
- Your digital EES record remains valid for three years after initial registration.
- The system replaces the previous practice of manually stamping passports for short stays in the Schengen area.
- Travellers may be asked to input biometric details every time they enter or exit the Schengen zone.
The Foreign Office emphasizes that while the new system represents a significant change in border procedures, it's designed to streamline entry processes while maintaining security standards. British travellers planning trips to any of the 29 affected countries should review the updated guidance carefully and allow extra time for border processing, particularly during peak travel periods.
