EES launched: what the new EU Entry/Exit System means for family travel

The new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) started on 12 October 2025, and it changes how non-EU families cross the Schengen border: passport stamps are being replaced by a digital record with a photo and, for adults and older kids, fingerprints. The system is phased in over several months, just as many families travel for autumn half-term. Here is who must register, what happens with children and how to plan your trip calmly.

Why now: the Entry/Exit System rollout from 12 October

EES applies to non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area for short stays, and the first registration happens at your first crossing after the start. It is being introduced step by step at airports, ports and land borders across 29 countries, so procedures can differ from one border to another during the first months.

• Who: non-EU travellers on short stays, for example British, American or Australian families.
• Who not: EU citizens and holders of a residence permit in a Schengen country.
• What: passport details, a face image and fingerprints (not for children under 12).
• How often: the full registration is needed once; later trips use a quicker check.

The official EU Entry/Exit System website has the details. Do not confuse it with ETIAS, a separate online travel authorisation that is planned to start later.

Top 6 family destinations this autumn and what EES means there

For most families, EES means a few extra minutes at the first border check, not a reason to change plans. Busy airports and cross-Channel routes may see longer queues in the early weeks.

Price level for a family day of sightseeing: budget = under about €80, mid-range = about €80–150, premium = over €150. Approximate, prices change.

See family attractions in Paris on the Kid.ooo map

Popular half-term goals are easy to combine with a smooth border plan. Families travelling by Eurostar go through French border checks in London, so arrive in good time. In Paris, Disneyland Paris is the classic half-term treat. In Amsterdam, the NEMO Science Museum is perfect for rainy days. In Lisbon, the Oceanário de Lisboa is a hit with all ages, and in Rome the children's museum Explora gives little ones a break from ruins.

Getting there with kids: car, train and stops

Plan extra time at the first border crossing and keep all passports in one easy-to-reach place.

• Airports: arrive earlier than usual; some airports use self-service kiosks for part of the registration.
• Trains: for Eurostar, the check happens before boarding in London, so allow extra time at the station.
• Ferries and cars: at ports, registration may take place at the booth or at kiosks; follow local instructions.
• Kids: children under 12 do not give fingerprints, but they need to stand for a photo. Prepare them, and bring snacks for the queue.

Where to stay: family-friendly stays

Book your first night close to the arrival airport or station, so a longer border queue does not ruin your evening. This matters most in the first weeks of the new system, when staff and travellers are still getting used to it. Apartments with a kitchen give you flexibility if you arrive late. Ask about cots, high chairs and late check-in.

Where to eat with kids

Pack snacks and water for the border queue, then plan a relaxed first meal near your hotel. Airports and big stations have family-friendly cafés. Find kid-friendly restaurants near your stay on the Kid.ooo map.

Rainy-day plan B

Autumn half-term weather is unpredictable, so plan one indoor option per day. Science centres, aquariums and children's museums are ideal. More ideas are in our guide to splash parks and water playgrounds, many of which are indoor water parks. For quieter places, see late-summer escapes, and for good-value timing, our shoulder-season guide.

Packing checklist

Keep documents organised and the kids entertained in queues.

• Valid passports for every family member, checked well before departure
• Any visas or residence documents that apply to you
• Snacks, water and a small toy or book for each child
• Phone charger and power bank for digital tickets
• Warm layers and rain jackets for autumn weather

For travel ideas with older kids and teens, follow @wyld_family_travel on Instagram.

Save your autumn trip in Kid.ooo

Kid.ooo is a free kid-friendly places map where parents share attractions, playgrounds and cafés across Europe. Use it as your family travel app for Europe: save a café near the airport, a playground near your hotel and a rainy-day museum before you fly.

Plan your half-term trip on the Kid.ooo map

Missing a place you loved? Add it to Kid.ooo and help the next family travelling this autumn.