Martyn's Monthly Update

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to my monthly update for July. I have just one item to point out this time….

We have had an update from the Government on the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES), which is now likely to be rolled out from mid-October 2025, with a phased approach over six months.

What this means is: if you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when you arrive. EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU. ​

The countries in the Schengen area are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, 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.

EES is expected to start in October 2025. 

When EES is introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths. 

You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country. 

Your digital record is valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.

From a date in the future (probably from May 2026) you will be able to use the e-gates across the EU. This benefit will be up to each individual state to roll-out so this may take some time.

The above sounds fairly confusing and I think the information I have tried to portray is correct at the time of press however a visit to our shop in Claygate, if you have booked travel with us, will confirm what is needed and required.

This is just one more reason why booking through a Travel Agent is becoming increasingly useful. Don’t forget in addition to booking tailor-made travel and tours we also book easyJet Holiday along with all the TUI range. Furthermore, we work closely with have hundreds of specialist tour operators who really know their product and can be so useful in planning a holiday. Between Karen, Jennie and myself we have over 100 years of experience in travel.

We look forward to seeing you in Claygate sometime soon.

Martyn