EU Entry / Exit Scheme (EES)

EU Entry / Exit Scheme (EES)

Important Update: EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) Launched on 12 October 2025

Good news for UK Cruises
  1. If your cruise starts and ends in the UK, you won’t need to register for the new EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES).
  2. 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?
  1. If you're joining us on a Fly Cruise in 2026 you may be impacted.
  2. If you haven’t travelled to the Schengen area since the launch of EES, or haven't been registered even if you have, (or have received a new Passport since registration), on arrival at the destination you’ll be required to provide mandatory biometric data at Boarder Control.
Sailing from the UK and flying back to the UK
If you’re sailing from the UK and flying home from an EU destination, please note the following:
  1. When you disembark the ship in an EU port, you’ll be required to provide biometric data at Border Control (if you've not done on a previous visit)
  1. Your passport will be stamped at the port to show your entry into the Schengen Area.
  2. When you fly home, your passport will be stamped again at the airport to show your exit from the Schengen Area.
  3. We’ll share more detailed information with you closer to your departure, and our team on board will also be happy to guide you through the process.

What is the EES?
  1. The EU is introducing the Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) to modernise border checks.
  2. Instead of manual passport stamping, travellers will eventually use biometric data (face and fingerprint) for entry and exit.
When is this happening?

  • Initial rollout started on 12 October 2025 in some EU countries.
  • Full rollout will be completed by 10 April 2026.
What to expect when EES is live

If you're flying in to or out of an EU country after rollout:
  • You'll be asked to provide biometric data at border control.
  • This is mandatory, without it, you won’t be able to travel.
Can I register my biometric data before travel?
  1. Not yet, but the EU is working on it. We’ll let you know if or when this becomes available.
Which countries are part of EES?
  1. The scheme will apply to travel in the following countries:
  2. 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.
  3. Please note from 16 July 2026 Gibraltar was added to the list.
Coming soon: ETIAS Visa Waiver
  1. In the future, the EU will also introduce ETIAS, a visa waiver for non-EU visitors (including UK travellers):
  2. Expected cost: around €20 per person
  3. Valid for 3 years or until your passport expires
  4. Must be purchased before travel
  5. This is not live yet—we’ll share more details when it is.

Related Articles:
  1. Click here to out more about our Fly Cruises and the exclusive FAQs
  2. Click here for more information on destination entry requirements