The UK will enforce full Entry/Exit System checks for EU citizens from November 10. Fingerprint and facial scans will be required at all major ports. Processing times are expected to increase by 45 seconds per passenger.
Heathrow and Dover have installed 180 new automated gates to manage the change. The system records entry and exit dates to enforce the 90-day limit in any 180-day period. France and Germany will implement reciprocal checks on the same date.
The EES was delayed twice since its original 2024 launch date. UK border staff completed training in June 2026. Passenger numbers at Dover are forecast to reach 4.2 million in December 2026.
What this means for you
Allow an extra 90 minutes at UK entry points after November 9. Register fingerprints in advance via the UK ETA app if available before travel. Carry printed proof of accommodation and return tickets to speed manual processing.
Travellers with previous UK visa refusals should expect secondary questioning. Avoid peak arrival times between 6am and 9am at Heathrow Terminal 5.
Full rollout data will be published monthly starting December 2026 to adjust staffing levels.