Italy to launch EES at airports in Rome and Milan on Sunday.The European Union's new digital border system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), will be phased in around Europe from Sunday 12 October, including at Italy's two largest airports.The new entry system is designed to keep track of when non-EU citizens enter and leave the Schengen Area, an open-border zone encompassing 29 European countries, most of which are in the EU. The EES applies to nationals from non-EU countries, including the UK, who cross external Schengen borders for a short stay, regardless of whether they require a visa or are visa-exempt. In Italy, EES will be introduced at Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa on Sunday before being rolled out nationwide over the coming months, in line with the rest of the Schengen Area. British nationals who are resident in Italy do not have to register in the EES provided they can show proof of having either a carta di soggiorno residence card or, for those who have been living in Italy since 1 January 2021, a permesso di soggiorno. From 12 Oct, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (#EES) goes live.UK Nationals in Italy with a Carta or Permesso di Soggiorno are exempt. Visitors must register at the border.Checkhttps://t.co/Shprt8Yw1HEU Commission’s citizens’ rights https://t.co/gE66osRLnL @EdLlewellynFCDO pic.twitter.com/f1pUOsEPYG — UK in Italy (@UKinItaly) October 10, 2025 The British embassy to Italy advises travellers in this category to take these documents with them when travelling. The automated system, which requires the registration of fingerprints and facial images, will eventually replace the current system of passports being stamped manually. The goal of EES is to enhance security by combatting against identity fraud as well as automatically calculating how many days travellers without a visa have spent in the Schengen area, to ensure they don't overstay the 90-day limit. EES is also designed to streamline border checks however concerns have been raised that it will lead to delays when people from non-EU countries register their biometric information the first time. The system is set to be fully operational by 10 April 2026. For full details see official EES website. Photo credit: 1000 Words / Shutterstock.com.

The European Union's new digital border system, the (EES), will be phased in around Europe from Sunday 12 October, including at Italy's two largest airports. The new entry system is designed to keep track of when non-EU citizens enter and leave the , an open-border zone encompassing 29 European countries, most of which are in the EU. The EES applies to nationals from non-EU countries, including the UK, who cross external Schengen borders for a short stay, regardless of whether they require a visa or are visa-exempt. In Italy, EES will be introduced at Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa on Sunday before being rolled out nationwide over the coming months, in line with the rest of the Schengen Area. British nationals who are resident in Italy do not have to register in the EES provided they can show proof of having either a carta di soggiorno residence card or, for those who have been living in Italy since 1 January 2021, a permesso di soggiorno. From 12 Oct, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System () goes live.

UK Nationals in Italy with a Carta or Permesso di Soggiorno are exempt. Visitors must register at the border.

Check
EU Commission’s citizens’ rights — UK in Italy (@UKinItaly) The British embassy to Italy advises travellers in this category to take these documents with them when travelling. The automated system, which requires the registration of fingerprints and facial images, will eventually replace the current system of passports being stamped manually. The goal of EES is to enhance security by combatting against identity fraud as well as automatically calculating how many days travellers without a visa have spent in the Schengen area, to ensure they don't overstay the 90-day limit. EES is also designed to streamline border checks however concerns have been raised that it will lead to delays when people from non-EU countries register their biometric information the first time. The system is set to be fully operational by 10 April 2026. For full details see official . Photo credit: 1000 Words / Shutterstock.com.