EU's New EES Border Checks: What It Means for Cruises (and how to sail through it)

From 12 October 2025, the EU started phasing in the Entry/Exit System (EES) across its external borders. It replaces manual passport stamps with a digital record and biometric checks for non-EU visitors, including Brits. Full rollout is due by 10 April 2026. In plain English: on your first post-launch entry to the Schengen Area you’ll have your passport scanned, fingerprints taken and a photo captured. After that, future trips should be quicker.

For cruisers, what actually happens depends on where you start and finish your trip, and whether you enter Schengen at an airport, ferry terminal, train station or a cruise port.

The basics (quick facts)

• Starts: 12 October 2025, phased over ~6 months; fully in by 10 April 2026. 

• Who: Non-EU/EEA travellers (e.g. UK passport holders) on short stays (up to 90 days in any 180). 

• What happens the first time: Passport scan + four fingerprints + face photo at a kiosk or desk. Registration usually lasts 3 years or until your passport expires. 

• Where it applies: Schengen countries (incl. Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein). Ireland isn’t in Schengen, so no EES there. 

• Why it exists: To digitise border control, track days in Schengen, and replace passport stamping. 

  
  

How EES affects different cruise scenarios

1) Round-trip cruise from a UK port with Schengen day calls (e.g. Iona from Southampton calling at Vigo, Lisbon, La Coruna)

• Most day-call passengers won’t register in EES at those ports if you’re simply going ashore and back to the ship the same day.

• You will need EES if you embark or fully disembark in a Schengen port as part of the trip (e.g. joining mid-itinerary or ending in Barcelona and flying home). 

2) Fly-cruise that starts in the EU/Schengen (e.g. flight to Rome/Civitavecchia, then cruise)

• You’ll do your first EES registration at the airport on arrival, before heading to the ship.

• Leaving Schengen at the end (by air or sea) logs your exit automatically in the system. 

3) Cruise that starts in the UK and ends in the EU (one-way, e.g. finishing in Barcelona)

• EES entry is usually captured when you first enter Schengen (first EU port where formal entry happens).

• Your exit is captured when you fly home from the EU or otherwise clear Schengen border control. 

4) Intra-Schengen or repositioning cruises

• If your cruise never leaves Schengen after you’ve entered (e.g. Barcelona to Civitavecchia), you won’t re-register at each port - EES is about external borders.

• CLIA guidance highlights that transit stops at Schengen ports don’t require EES re-registration for passengers; checks apply at entry/exit points. 

What about ferries, Eurotunnel and Eurostar?

• Dover & Eurotunnel/Eurostar (juxtaposed controls): EES kiosks/checks sit on the French side of the border located in the UK. Expect phased introduction and extra time during the transition, starting with coaches and freight, widening later. 

• Dover coaches & foot passengers: Dover has opened a dedicated facility for EES processing for coaches/foot passengers from 12 October 2025, with phased expansion. Follow port guidance. 

Practical tips for a smooth sail

• Allow extra time on your first Schengen trip post-launch for the biometric capture. 

• Keep your hands clean and dry for fingerprints, and remove hats/glasses for the face photo. (Border agency standard practice.)

• Bring the right passport: at least 3 months’ validity beyond your planned exit is still wise, and check blank pages.

• Track your 90/180 allowance - EES will do this automatically, but you should too, especially if you hop in and out of Schengen on back-to-back trips. 

• Kids travel too: children also register (with assistance) at the border when first entering after launch. 

• Expect stamping during the transition: manual stamps may continue at some places until full switchover by 10 April 2026. 

Final thoughts

EES is a big change but not a drama. For most UK cruisers, if you’re doing round-trip from the UK with simple day calls, you’ll likely avoid on-pier registration and just enjoy your port days. Fly-cruisers and anyone starting/finishing inside Schengen will do the new checks once, then breeze through on later trips. Build in a bit more time, keep your documents handy, and you’ll be fine.

FAQ EES border checks

Do I need to “pre-register” before I travel?

No. There’s no pre-registration for EES. It happens at the border on arrival. 

How long does my EES registration last?

Your record is valid for a rolling three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. 

Will my passport still be stamped?

Possibly during the transition. Stamps will be phased out by 10 April 2026 once EES is fully live everywhere. 

If I’m on a UK round-trip cruise with Schengen port days, do I register at each port?

No. Transit day calls don’t usually involve EES registration. You register if you enter/exit Schengen at an external border (e.g. airport embarkation, ending in the EU and flying home). 

Does EES apply in Ireland?

No. Ireland isn’t in Schengen, so EES doesn’t apply there. 

What about ETIAS - is that the same thing?

Different. EES is the border entry/exit record. ETIAS will be a travel authorisation required for many non-EU visitors before travel, expected after EES is fully running. 

Will there be queues?

Early days may see longer waits at some crossings, especially for the first registration. Allow extra time and follow local port/airport guidance. 

What should coach groups and ferry passengers do at Dover?

Follow port instructions. Dover has a bespoke EES facility and is phasing in processing, starting with coaches/foot passengers.

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system