Getting Ready for EES
When the EES scheme rolls out to every European airport
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![Illustration of the EU Entry Exit System (EES)](https://dmy0b9oeprz0f.cloudfront.net/holidayextras.co.uk/ppc-images/tripapp-campaign/content/Explaining-EES-main-image-OG.jpg")
30 days of EES: how the system is performing so far
One month on, the EES rollout is underway with varying progress across the Schengen area. Holiday Extras has launched a simple checker so travellers can see where EES is live.
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November 12th, 2025: One month on from the implementation of the EU's new Entry Exit System (EES), new analysis has revealed how countries within the Schengen Area have been grappling with the policy since its introduction. To date, only around a third (28%) of those affected have introduced it to select airports within their borders.
The EES is a new digital border system that has changed requirements for British citizens travelling into the EU and Schengen Area, with travellers now required to register their biometric details when they arrive at their destination. Depending on the mode of transport, these checks may take place at the point of entry.
The system involves capturing travellers' photographs and fingerprints. It was expected to cause delays for those entering EU borders. After four weeks, analysis by Holiday Extras has revealed that nine countries have so far announced a partial successful rollout. Other early adopters have announced considerable delays to their original schedule. The Port of Dover, for example, has said that the French side is not ready and has delayed a proposed November launch date until at least the new year.
Countries that have introduced the system in whole or in part include Norway (Oslo), Czech Republic (Prague), Estonia (Tallinn), Luxembourg (Luxembourg), several Spanish airports (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga and Alicante), the Netherlands' Amsterdam Schiphol and a number of Italian and French airports including Paris CDG and Milan.
Countries that have announced the rollout of EES
| Country | Status | Airport(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | Live | Prague |
| France | Live | Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris Orly (ORY) |
| Germany | Live | Dusseldorf (DUS) |
| Italy | Live | Rome (FCO), Milan (MXP) |
| Netherlands | Live | Amsterdam (AMS) |
| Norway | Live | Oslo (OSL) |
| Portugal | Live | Lisbon (LIS), Faro (FAO) |
| Spain | Live | Madrid (MAD), Tenerife (TFS), Gran Canaria (LPA), Alicante (ALC), Malaga (AGP), Barcelona (BCN) |
| Estonia | Live | Tallinn (TLL) |
| Luxembourg | Live | Luxembourg (LUX) |
Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, said:
"While the scheme is designed to make border processing smoother and faster in the long run, the initial introduction of it around the EU has proven that it will take time for airports to adapt to the new process, which has led to some delays as traveller data is captured for the first time."
"Some countries are moving faster than others, and while some are yet to implement it, visitors to places including the Czech Republic, Estonia or Luxembourg can expect to encounter it upon entry. People planning trips in the coming months should be aware of this process change. If they are keen to avoid disruptions and queues, it is worth knowing when each European airport plans to start using EES or considering one of the many destinations outside the scheme."
"There are plenty of incredible destinations unaffected by the EES that are well worth exploring. Ireland, Guernsey, Cyprus, Montenegro and Turkey are all just a short flight away, and each offers something special, without the possibility of being held up at border control."
The analysis follows research that revealed mass misunderstanding of the new policy. Four in five (82%) Brits said they did not know how it would impact their travels, and more than a third (35%) were unaware of the scheme.
To help holidaymakers navigate the transition to the Entry Exit System, Holiday Extras has developed a simple tool that identifies the countries and airports in which EES has been announced operational, as well as those it is not. Travellers can quickly see whether the destinations they are visiting have been impacted by the rollout so far.
Check which airports are using EES.
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