British drivers are being warned of new EU rules being introduced today that could change the way they travel to the continent
From today, Sunday, October 12, 2025, the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will be introduced, impacting motorists across the UK and the continent.
When travelling to any countries in the Schengen area, Britons will be required to provide biometric details, including fingerprints and a photo.
The EES registration will replace the current system of passport stamps when visitors arrive in the UK.
The Schengen area includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The new rules could see motorists face additional burdens when travelling to Europe, especially if they had a seamless entry previously.
The UK Government has taken action to ensure motorists are aware that the new rules are being introduced, with all road users being warned.
The new EES system applies to all children, with all under-12s expected to register their interest in the new rules.
Drivers are being warned of potential delays at the Port of Dover
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Most UK travellers will face the new mandates at the border, with motorists urged to ensure this happens before they travel across a key border.
A Government spokesperson said: “While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are in constant and close dialogue with our European partners to try and minimise the impact on the British public.
“While we have done everything we can to ensure the required infrastructure is in place, anyone who is planning a trip to the European mainland once these checks are introduced will still need to allow more time for their journey as the new EU systems bed in.”
The head of the Eurotunnel has warned that drivers could face new conditions at the border when attempting to cross the new road route, especially as motorists are not aware of the new road rules.
Drivers could face delays when travelling to Dover in the upcoming months
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Eurotunnel chief executive Yann Leriche suggested that the new route would have a “minimal impact” on motorists travelling through the border.
He estimated that the EES would have a “minimal impact”, with suggestions that the journey between terminals in Folkestone and Calais would take an additional two minutes of time.
Mr Leriche added: “As you will see, EES will have a minimal impact, not exactly zero, but a minimal impact on the time to cross the Channel. Anyone who is not ready is not because it was impossible or a huge challenge.”
The leader of Dover District Council, Kevin Mills, has warned that drivers could see lengthy delays on the roads leading to Dover when the system is introduced.
Speaking previously to the House of Lords justice and home affairs committee last year, Mr Mills criticised the scheme, saying that the infrastructure and IT were not ready.
He continued: “Without EES, we still see the town coming to a gridlock several times a year. You add this on to it, it’s a gridlock on steroids – and that’s what concerns us.
“If the Department for Transport are still saying they expect up to 14-hour delays, there’s a problem somewhere that needs to be addressed.”
He warned that motorists could face issues when travelling to the Port of Dover, as well as ports at Folkestone and Felixstowe.