EU confirms October start date for new biometric border rules

2025-07-21

The EU has confirmed its new biometric border rules, known as the EU Entry-Exit System (EES), will finally come into effect in October, while the bloc’s related Esta-style visa waiver is now set to cost visitors more than double the originally proposed €7 (£6).

It means that while the rollout will avoid the remainder of the busy peak summer season, it will impact those jetting off for the October half-term – as well as the 2025/26 winter sun European ski seasons.

EES will come into force on Sunday 12 October and will require all non-EU citizens to submit fingerprints and facial biometrics when they enter the bloc for the first time after the launch. This data will be held on file for three years. Children under the age of 12 will not be required to provide fingerprints.

The launch date has now been confirmed on the EU’s official EES portal. It will be phased in progressively over a six-month period through to early April 2026. From 10 April 2026, EES will be fully operational at all external EU border crossings.

Source: TTG

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