EES - what you need to know about travelling to Europe

Taking Students to Europe? New Border Checks Start October 2025

From 12 October 2025, the EU will introduce the Entry/Exit System (EES). This means that school groups travelling to the Schengen area (most of mainland Europe) will face new digital border checks.

For EVCs and Visit Leaders, it’s essential to understand what’s changing so that students, staff, children and their families are well prepared.

The Department for Transport has published a toolkit for travel companies and tour operators, which contains useful information and guidance for anyone taking groups overseas once the EES is in place. We’ve summarised the information below and created an information sheet for you to share with your students to help them prepare.

Tips for Visit Leaders

✅ Review your travel plans and build in extra time at borders.

✅ Brief students and parents/carers about what to expect.

✅ Use official resources like the DfT toolkit materials (posters, FAQs) and this video to support staff and trip planning.

✅ Keep up to date with changes via gov.uk/entry-exit-system.

What you need to know

The EES will impact all individuals and groups travelling between the UK and Europe. So what’s changing?

• British citizens (including most school staff and students) will need to register biometric data (fingerprints and a photo) at the EU border once the EES is in place.

• This process will happen at the first point of entry to the Schengen area, and again on exit*.

• It’s free, and no action is needed before travel – checks take place at the border.

• *For crossings to France via the Port of Dover, Folkestone and St Pancras (where French border control is in the UK) this will happen before travel.

What does it mean for school groups?

• Allow extra time: border checks may take longer, particularly at peak times or with large groups. Build this into your itinerary and travel planning.

• Prepare students: brief young people about what to expect (photo and fingerprint taken) to reduce anxiety at border points. (Download and share our student information guide, here)

• Support staff roles: assign staff to supervise and guide students during the process to ensure the group stays together.

• Communicate with parents and carers: let families know about the changes, to reassure them and avoid confusion at departure or arrival. (View our FAQs below)

• Be aware of phased rollout: the system is being introduced gradually from October 2025 to early 2026, so experiences may differ across destinations and travel modes (air, coach, ferry, Eurostar). We understand that checks will be introduced first for coach groups travelling through Dover and Folkestone.

• Check if you qualify for the fast track: ask your provider about the Moana ‘fast track’ pilot scheme operated by P&O and Irish Ferries between Dover and Calais. (see FAQs below)

Working with Advisers and Tour Operators

Your tour operator or travel company will be keeping track of developments related to EES and other border matters and will be getting support from groups such as the School Travel Forum if they are members. Providers should factor in potential delays when planning travel schedules and itineraries but don’t be shy about asking questions to help with your planning.

For more support, speak to your Educational Visits Adviser and tour operator or travel company to ensure you have the most up-to-date guidance for your specific visits. This partnership approach will help you prepare your group effectively and help avoid unexpected delays or confusion at the border.

Looking ahead - what’s coming next?

In late 2026, the EU will also launch ETIAS, a travel authorisation similar to the UK’s ETA. This will require an online application before travel. Schools planning trips beyond 2026 will need to factor this into their preparation.

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Useful resources

Reassure your students

Download our quick guide to the EES for your students.

STUDENT INFO

Support for conversations with staff and parents

For answers to questions from your team, or to help with conversations with parents and carers, read the full Department for Transport FAQ document.

OFFICIAL FAQs

Explainer video

A 2-minute video explaining what is happening, why, and what you will need to do.

Watch the system in action - Eurostar

When the EU entry-exit system takes effect on 12 October, passengers on Eurostar will be asked if they have pre-booked accommodation, a return ticket, enough money for their stay – and medical insurance. From The Independent.

Watch now

FAQs

We’ve selected the most relevant FAQs for educational visits - answers are taken from the Department for Transport’s FAQ document (download above).

• Q: What countries are included in EES? What is the Schengen area?

  A: 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 not applicable when travelling to the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus

• Q: When is EES being introduced?

  A: EES will be introduced from 12 October 2025. Implementation will be phased across Schengen border crossing points, (i.e. airports, seaports) over a six-month period, meaning until April 2026 you may encounter different border requirements at different ports where you enter and exit across the Schengen area.

• Q: Do travellers have to pay for EES?

  A: No. There is no charge for travellers for EES registration. Any requests for payment to comply with EES are incorrect and/or fraudulent. The EU will later be introducing an advance permission to travel system, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will require a payment. This scheme is a separate system to EES and is not expected to launch until Autumn 2026.

• Q: Where will EES registration take place?

  A: IMPORTANT FOR CROSSINGS TO FRANCE: at the Port of Dover, Folkestone, and St Pancras, where French Border Control is on site in the UK, they will conduct the EES registration in the UK before you board your train/ferry/shuttle.

  Generally, travellers will be required to undertake EES registration the first time they cross an external Schengen border. This will typically take place at the port or airport in their country of entry, where they will scan their passport, submit their fingerprints and/or have their photo taken, but could also take place upon exit. 

• Q: Is there a minimum or maximum age?

  A: Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have a digital record created. There is no upper age limit.

• Q: What will happen if travellers refuse to have their fingerprints scanned or photograph taken?

  A: Registration for EES will be a requirement for all non-EU citizens and non-EU residents wishing to enter the Schengen area. Travellers who refuse to provide their biometric data will likely be denied entry and required to return to their country of departure or origin. Travellers who are unable to provide a fingerprint scan may be exempted and should declare this on arrival.

• Q: What if travellers are a dual UK-EU citizen? Do they have to comply?

  A: UK-EU dual citizens will be exempt from EES if they enter and exit using their EU passport. It is recommended that you carry both passports with you when travelling.

• Q: Will travellers have to do this every time they travel?

  A: Travellers will only have to create a full digital record on their first visit to the Schengen Area, or if it is more than 3 years since their last record creation.

  If you return to the Schengen area within 3 years, travellers will have a faster process by only needing to update their existing digital record and provide one biometric (i.e. fingerprints or a facial image) at the point of entry and exit. If you don’t return to the Schengen area for more than 3 years, or you get a new passport, you will need to create a full new record.

  If your appearance has significantly changed then you may be instructed to have another photo taken by border guards.

• Q: Will the process be the same at every port of entry?

  A: No. Your details may be taken by a border guard, or you may be asked to enter your details directly using a handheld tablet or at a kiosk. Travellers should follow signs and instructions from port staff.

   Implementation will be phased for the first six months of EES, with full implementation by 10 April 2026. During this period, you may experience different requirements when travelling in and out of the Schengen area, particularly at different ports.

• Q: Can we use the 'Fast Track' pilot scheme for school groups?

  A: The fast track scheme is operated by two ferry companies (P&O and Irish Ferries) on their routes operating between Dover and Calais.
  This optional scheme allows school groups to bypass EES completely by submitting passenger information for processing at least 72 hours in advance of the visit.
  Any school groups using Eurotunnel or DFDS, or school groups using P&O into a port other than Calais will not be able to use the scheme.
  Ask your provider for more information.
  

Where to find out more

Official UK Government advice: EU Entry/Exit System – GOV.UK

Travel Aware: Travel Aware – GOV.UK

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Notes

About EVOLVE Advice

EVOLVE Advice provides educational visits advice and guidance to schools and educational settings in the UK and around the world. We support over 4,500 educational settings, including: maintained schools, academies, MATs, special schools and alternative provision, Independent School Groups, Local Authorities, youth services, and FE colleges.

We deliver IOSH approved and IOL accredited training to EVCs and Visit Leaders, plus skills-based courses in risk management, visit emergencies and snowsport visits.