EU Entry/Exit System FAQs

The European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British citizens travelling to the Schengen area from 12 October 2025.  

Under the new system, if you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, upon arrival. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration. More information about the system is available at GOV.UK. 

According to GOV.UK, EES checks should only take 1-2 minutes per person, but travellers should be prepared for longer wait times upon arrival to Schengen area countries or at Eurostar/English Channel border checks when leaving the UK. 

As such, travel insurance is unlikely to cover any losses incurred as a result of delays caused by EES queues. Be sure to plan in advance, allow enough time for delays, or book earlier travel if you need to arrive somewhere abroad at a certain time (for example, a cruise departure).  

While the EES system itself does not mandate travel insurance, border officials or EES kiosks may inquire about it.  

Some individual countries (such as France) may require proof of adequate medical coverage for entry. This is a national rule, not an EES rule.

While having a current EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), or if it has expired its successor GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card), entitles you to state-provided healthcare when visiting the European Union, neither are an alternative to travel insurance as they will not cover all medical costs, or any repatriation back to the UK on medical grounds. 

Travel insurance is primarily there to cover the cost of emergency medical treatment abroad, which can run into the hundreds of thousands of pounds. Some travel insurance policies can also cover other things, such as lost luggage, stolen belongings or travel disruption outside of your control. This will vary by provider and policy, so be sure to read your terms and conditions carefully to understand the limits of your cover as well as any excesses that may apply.  

Check out our Travel Insurance FAQs and top tips for more information.