From 12th October 2025, a new EU border system will come into play that every UK-based road tripper needs to know about. It’s called the Entry/Exit System (EES) — and if you’re driving your classic, modern classic, or supercar into Europe, it could affect how smoothly your trip begins.
What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is the EU’s new way of managing who comes in and out of the Schengen Area (namely 27 European countries, including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, etc.).
Instead of a border guard simply stamping your passport, the system will:
- Record your biometric data (fingerprints + facial scan)
- Log your passport details electronically
- Automatically track your entry and exit dates
In other words, there’ll be no more passport stamps. Everything will be digital.
Why & how does this matter to UK travellers?
Since Brexit, UK travellers are treated as “third-country nationals” when visiting the EU. That means we’re limited to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Zone. The EES will enforce this strictly, making it harder to “wing it” if you’ve been touring a lot across the year.
If you love long European tours — perhaps a few weeks in the Alps, plus a summer road trip down to Spain, then a winter jaunt to Italy — you’ll need to keep an eye on your day count. The EES will flag overstays automatically, and fines or even entry bans could follow. The age of big data has arrived!
The impact on road trippers
For most people, this system is simply an extra check at the border. But for those of us driving classics or supercars, there may be a few added wrinkles:
- Longer queues at ferry ports and Eurotunnel
At launch, the system is expected to slow things down. Every traveller entering by car will need to register fingerprints and a face scan. Imagine hundreds of cars — some of them temperamental classics — waiting in hot summer weather. Build extra time into your schedule. - Paperwork precision matters
If you’ve been used to “getting away with” minor errors on hotel booking dates or trip extensions, those days are over. The system doesn’t forget. You’ll want to plan your routes and return dates more carefully. Probably not a big issue for the occasional road tripper but if you are spending a lot of time in the EU, this could become important. - Short trips should be fine
If your European driving is typically a week in France or a long weekend in Belgium, you’ll barely notice the change after your first registration. Once your data is in the system, future crossings will be quicker. - Car storage abroad
Some enthusiasts keep cars at a house or storage facility in Europe. Under the new regime, you’ll need to be even more mindful of your 90/180 allowance if you plan multiple visits to use the car.
Tips for a smooth crossing
Arrive early at ports and tunnels for your first post-EES trip — the process will take longer the first time.
Keep proof of stays (hotel bookings, ferry returns, etc.) in case of queries.
Plan your touring calendar if you do multiple trips per year — 90 days can vanish quickly when spread across spring, summer, and autumn adventures.
Consider shoulder seasons — not only are roads quieter, but border queues should be shorter than peak July/August.
The bottom line
The EES isn’t designed to make life difficult for enthusiasts — it’s about border security. But as with any new system, expect teething issues. For those of us who treasure time on Europe’s roads in cars that deserve to be driven — whether a Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 911, or Ferrari V12 — the key is simple: plan ahead, be patient, and don’t let a border queue dent your adventure.
Because once the open road is in front of you, the bureaucracy fades away. And that first stretch of French tarmac after Calais? Still worth it, every single time.
You can find out more about the EES system via the official website, here.
