France’s New EES Border Controls: What Changes from 12 October 2025 (and how to prepare)

From Sunday 12 October 2025, France (along with the rest of the Schengen area) begins rolling out the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). It’s a digital replacement for passport stamps that records non-EU travellers’ entries and exits using biometrics. The rollout is progressive for six months—so procedures may vary a little by border point until EES is fully operational by April 2026.

What is EES (in one minute)?

EES is an automated system that stores: your identity and travel-document details, biometric data (a facial image and fingerprints), plus the date/place of entry and exit (and any refusals). Its goals are to speed up checks, improve security, and automatically enforce the 90/180-day short-stay rule—replacing manual passport stamps.

Exact timing & where it applies

• Start: 12 October 2025, with a six-month phase-in; full deployment by 10 April 2026.

• Borders covered: All external Schengen borders—so in France this means airports, seaports, and the juxtaposed French controls in the UK (Dover, Folkestone/Eurotunnel, and London St Pancras for Eurostar).

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Who is affected (and who isn’t)

EES applies to: non-EU/Schengen nationals making short stays (both visa-exempt and visa-required), such as UK, US, Canadian travellers visiting France.

EES does not apply to:

• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens;

• Holders of a French/EU long-stay visa or residence permit (including UK/US nationals who are legal residents in France);

• Some special categories (e.g., certain diplomatic privileges).

Children: everyone has a photo taken; fingerprints are not taken for under-12s.

What will actually happen at the border?

First trip after EES goes live (your “enrolment”)

1. Scan passport at a self-service kiosk or with a border officer.

2. Provide biometrics: a live facial image and fingerprints (EES uses four fingerprints).

3. Border interview/check as usual.

   
   

   Your record then stays valid for 3 years, so later trips are quicker.

Subsequent trips within 3 years

You’ll normally verify against your stored record (often just a face scan or a fingerprint), plus the standard passport checks.

Expect some queues in the early months: governments and operators have warned that checks may take a few extra minutes while everyone enrols for the first time.

France-specific scenarios

Flying into France (e.g., CDG, Orly, Nice)

You’ll do EES on arrival in France. Follow airport signage to kiosks before seeing a police aux frontières officer.

Ferries & Dover

At Dover, French controls are performed before you sail. The port is adding kiosks and using agents with tablets; coach parties will disembark to register.

Eurotunnel (Folkestone) & Eurostar (St Pancras)

You’ll pre-register at purpose-built areas with self-service kiosks before proceeding to the French border booth. (Eurotunnel and Eurostar have constructed large kiosk zones in anticipation.)

Cruises

If your cruise starts and ends outside Schengen (e.g., a UK round-trip), you’re generally exempt from EES during the cruise. If you disembark in Schengen and continue by other means, you’ll complete EES at that point.

Data & privacy at a glance

• What’s stored: name, travel-document data, face image + fingerprints, entry/exit/refusals.

• Retention: normally 3 years; up to 5 years if there’s no recorded exit/overstay.

• Who can access: border authorities (and, in defined cases, visa and designated law-enforcement authorities).

Relationship to ETIAS

EES is not a visa and not ETIAS. ETIAS, an online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, is planned for the last quarter of 2026 and will come after EES. (Nothing to do yet.)

Practical prep for travellers to France

Before you go

• Check your passport has the required validity for Schengen short stays.

• If you live in France (or hold a long-stay visa/residence card), carry it—you’re exempt from EES.

• Allow extra time at the border during the first months of rollout. Follow your operator’s guidance for arrival times.

At the border

• Be ready to remove hats/glasses, follow the kiosk prompts, and place four fingers when asked.

• Families: under-12s give a photo only; 12–17s give photo + fingerprints.

• Coaches & groups (Dover): expect to disembark to use kiosks.

Operators & infrastructure (UK–France routes)

The UK government has funded upgrades for Eurostar, Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover (each received £3.5m) to install kiosk areas and manage flows at the French controls in the UK.

Key takeaways

• EES starts 12 Oct 2025; full coverage by April 2026.

• Applies to non-EU visitors to France for short stays; residents/long-stay visa holders are exempt.

• First trip after go-live = one-time enrolment (photo + four fingerprints); valid 3 years.

• Expect some queuing in the early months; follow operator guidance at airports, ports, Dover/Folkestone/St Pancras.

• ETIAS is separate and due late 2026.