EU Entry / Exit Scheme (EES)
Important Update: EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) Launching 12
October 2025
Good news for UK Cruises
If your cruise starts and ends in the UK, you
won’t need to register for the new EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES).
Even better—when you step ashore for the day in European ports, you
won’t need to do anything extra. Just enjoy your time ashore!
Flying to join your cruise?
If you're joining us on a Fly Cruise in the
Mediterranean after 12 October, the new EES may affect your journey.
But don’t worry—we’ll keep you updated and guide you through everything closer
to your embarkation date.
No need to apply for anything in advance (phew!).
What is the EES?
The EU is introducing the Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) to
modernise border checks.
Instead of manual passport stamping, travellers will eventually use biometric
data (face and fingerprint) for entry and exit.
When is this happening?
- Initial rollout starts 12 October 2025 in some EU countries.
- Others will follow over the next six months.
- Full rollout is expected by 10 April 2026.
The EU hasn’t yet confirmed
which countries will start first and not all travellers will need to register
immediately.
What to expect when EES is live
If you're flying into or out of an EU country after rollout:
- You may be asked to provide biometric data at border control.
- This is mandatory—without it, you won’t be able to travel.
Early testing in Slovenia
showed longer wait times (up to 4x), but improvements are expected as the
system evolves.
Can I register my biometric data before travel?
Not yet—but the EU is working on it. We’ll let you know as
soon as this becomes available.
Which countries are part of EES?
The scheme will apply to travel in the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy,
Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Coming soon: ETIAS Visa Waiver
In the future, the EU will also introduce ETIAS,
a visa waiver for non-EU visitors (including UK travellers):
- Expected cost: around €20 per person
- Valid for 3 years or until your passport expires
- Must be purchased before travel
This is not
live yet—we’ll share more details when it is.
Final thought
If you're cruising from the UK, you're in the clear for now.
If you're flying to join your cruise, we’ll make sure you’re fully prepared
when the time comes.
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