If you’re planning a trip to Europe, you may have started hearing about the new Entry/Exit System (EES). This new border control system will change the way many travellers enter and leave European countries, including visitors from the UK.
For disabled travellers, autistic travellers, families travelling with children and anyone who relies on airport assistance, it is understandable to have concerns about how the new system will work in practice.
The good news is that although EES introduces new technology and biometric checks, disabled travellers will still have the right to assistance and alternative methods of processing if they cannot use self-service equipment.
What Is The EES?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital border management system being introduced by the European Union.
Instead of receiving passport stamps when entering or leaving participating European countries, non-EU travellers will have their entries and exits recorded electronically.
The system will record:
- Passport information
- Date and location of entry
- Date and location of exit
- Facial image
- Fingerprint data
The purpose of the system is to improve border security and automatically track how long visitors remain within the Schengen Area.
For UK travellers, this means the first trip after EES launches may involve additional checks compared with current travel procedures.
Which Countries Will Use EES?
The system will be used by countries within Europe, including all 25 Europen member states (excluding Cyprus and Ireland) and four additional non-EU countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia (Czech Republic)
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland (Non-EU)
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein (Non-EU)
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway (Non-EU)
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland (Non-EU)
Most UK holidaymakers travelling to Europe will encounter the system at some point.
What Happens When You Arrive?
On your first trip after the system launches, you will usually need to:
- Present your passport
- Have your facial image captured
- Provide fingerprints
This information will be stored within the EES database.
Future journeys should be quicker because your biometric information will already be on file and can be matched against your passport.
Will Disabled Travellers Have To Use Self-Service Kiosks?
No.
Although many airports are expected to introduce self-service kiosks, disabled travellers will not be required to use them if they are unable to do so.
Many travellers may struggle with:
- Mobility impairments
- Visual impairments
- Learning disabilities
- Autism
- Anxiety disorders
- Sensory processing difficulties
- Communication difficulties
In these situations, border officers should be able to provide assistance and process travellers through staffed checkpoints instead.
If a kiosk is unsuitable for you or your child, you should be able to request help from a member of staff.
What About Autism And Hidden Disabilities?
This is one area where many families may have concerns.
For some autistic travellers, the process of:
- Standing in unfamiliar queues
- Following instructions from a machine
- Looking directly into cameras
- Placing fingers on scanners
- Dealing with crowded arrival halls
may be difficult or distressing.
Some children and adults may need additional time to complete the process, while others may be unable to complete it independently.
If this applies to your family, it may be worth arranging airport assistance in advance and informing staff that additional support may be required. I have a seperate guide which explains what airport assistance is and how to book it, and an additional guide with links to different special assistance departments from airports all around the world.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard may also help staff recognise that you or your child have a hidden disability and may require extra patience or support.
What About Travellers With Physical Disabilities?
For travellers who use wheelchairs, walking aids or mobility scooters, airports and border authorities will still be required to provide assistance where needed.
Many airports are expected to install accessible versions of EES equipment, but there may still be occasions where manual processing is more appropriate.
Travellers with reduced dexterity, limb differences or conditions that make fingerprint collection difficult should also be able to receive alternative assistance from border officers.
What About Children?
Children will also be included within the EES system, although the requirements are slightly different.
Current plans indicate that children under 12 years old will not be required to provide fingerprints, although they may still need to have a facial image taken.
For families travelling with autistic children, it may be helpful to prepare children in advance by explaining:
- That a photograph may be taken
- That staff may ask them to look towards a camera
- That the process is routine and safe
Visual supports and social stories may also be useful for some children.
Tips For Disabled Travellers Using EES
If you are concerned about the new system, these practical tips may help:
- Book airport special assistance if you think you may need support.
- Arrive earlier than usual, especially during the first few years after launch.
- Carry any disability documentation you normally travel with.
- Use the Sunflower Lanyard if it helps communicate hidden disabilities.
- Ask for a staffed desk if self-service kiosks are not suitable.
- Prepare children beforehand using photos, videos or social stories.
- Allow extra time for border control when planning onward transport.
Will EES Make Travel Harder For Disabled People?
Initially, it may do.
Whenever a major new system is introduced, there is usually a period where staff, airports and travellers are all learning how it works.
Some airports may experience longer queues and occasional confusion during the early stages of implementation.
However, disabled travellers continue to have rights to assistance and reasonable adjustments. Border authorities are expected to provide alternative methods for travellers who cannot use automated systems independently.
Can You Register For EES Before You Travel?
One concern many travellers have about the new Entry/Exit System (EES) is whether they will need to complete biometric registration at the airport when they arrive. In some locations, there may be an easier option.
The European Union has introduced a mobile app called the Travel to Europe App, which allows some travellers to pre-register part of their EES information before travelling.
Using the app, travellers can:
- Submit some of the information required for EES registration before departure
- Generate a QR code to use at the airport during EES registration
- Potentially reduce the amount of time spent at border control upon arrival
However, it is important to understand that the app does not completely replace the EES process. Travellers will still need to complete the final registration steps when they arrive at the border, including providing biometric information where required.
Is The Travel To Europe App Available Everywhere?
At the moment, no.
The app is currently being tested and rolled out gradually, and only a limited number of border crossing points support it. Early implementation has focused on selected airports and border locations in countries including Portugal and Sweden.
As the EES system expands, more airports and border crossings are expected to join the scheme, but availability will vary depending on where you enter the Schengen Area.
Could The App Help Disabled Travellers?
Potentially, yes.
For disabled travellers, autistic travellers and those with anxiety, completing some of the process from home could help reduce stress at the airport.
Benefits may include:
- Less time spent using airport kiosks
- Fewer forms and checks at the border
- More time to focus on airport navigation and accessibility needs
- Reduced pressure during busy arrival periods
For families travelling with autistic children, being able to complete part of the process in a familiar environment may also help children understand what will happen before they arrive.
Will Disabled Travellers Still Need Assistance?
Possibly.
Even if you use the Travel to Europe App, you may still need to:
- Have your facial image verified
- Provide fingerprints (where required)
- Speak with border officers
- Complete final registration checks
Travellers who require airport assistance, wheelchair support, communication support or alternative processing methods should continue to arrange assistance in advance and should not assume the app removes the need for support at the airport. It might help you to learn about airport and airline disability codes before you travel to make sure you have the correct code applied to your booking.
As EES continues to roll out, the Travel to Europe App could become a useful tool for reducing stress and queue times, particularly for disabled travellers and families with additional needs. However, for now, it should be viewed as a way to streamline part of the process rather than a complete alternative to border checks.
The introduction of the EES represents one of the biggest changes to European border controls in years. For many travellers, the process will simply involve a quick photograph and fingerprint scan before continuing their journey.
For disabled travellers, autistic travellers and families with additional support needs, the experience may require a little more planning. Fortunately, the introduction of new technology does not remove your right to assistance.
If you think you may struggle with self-service kiosks or biometric checks, do not be afraid to ask for help. Airport and border staff should be able to provide alternative arrangements and support you through the process.
As airports begin rolling out the new system, understanding your rights and preparing in advance will help make the experience as smooth as possible for your family.
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
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Continue Planning Your Trip With an Allergy
- Learn about airline meal codes and what they stand for so you can be sure your meal is allergen free
- Find out what I pack in my babies allergy travel bag for travelling abroad
- Find out about flying with medical luggage and what you can and cannot travel with
- Print out some free allergy translation cards before you travel abroad
- Download the free eBook and learn some important phrases related to your allergy before you travel to another country
- Find out what to include on a doctors travel letter for flying with medication such as EpiPens
Continue Planning Your Trip as a Traveller With ADHD
- First, check out my travel guide for ADHD travellers for practical planning advice
- Learn what to include on a doctors letter for travelling with medication so you get your letter right the first time
- Find out more about flying with medical luggage and equipment and what extras you can bring for free
- Check out why you should learn important phrases related to your disability before you travel and download the free eBook with accessible travel translations from my guide
- Find out about the different codes airports and airlines use, especially disability codes
- Learn more about the DPNA code and what it means for travellers with hidden disabilities
- Find out more about the Sunflower Lanyard and how it can support ADHD travellers
- Learn more about getting help at the airport as someone with ADHD and how it can support your travel plans
- Find out how to use the PRM Assist app to book special assistance at the airport
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
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