Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-natureslens-guests/ # What Is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), & What Does It Mean for NaturesLens Guests? Published on October 23, 2026 [![Empty airport check-in counters with glowing screens](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/airport-check-in-desks-with-illuminated-screens.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/airport-check-in-desks-with-illuminated-screens.jpg) ### Article brief Editorial article Published October 23, 2026 For photographers travelling from the UK to Europe, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System introduces an additional step at the border, but it does not change the wildlife photography opportunities that make our European holidays so rewarding. What it does change is how our arrival & departure are recorded, how long we may spend in the Schengen Area & potentially how much time we need to allow when travelling to meet a group. The Entry/Exit System, usually shortened to EES, began operating on 12 October 2025 & became fully operational across the participating countries on 10 April 2026. It replaces traditional passport stamps with digital records, including facial photographs & fingerprints for most non-EU travellers visiting for short stays. There is no charge for registration & nothing to apply for in advance. For us at NaturesLens, the important consideration is straightforward: a little more preparation at the beginning of a journey helps protect the valuable time we have arranged for photographing wildlife once everyone reaches the destination. [![Empty Airport Check-In Counters With Glowing Screens](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/airport-check-in-desks-with-illuminated-screens.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/airport-check-in-desks-with-illuminated-screens.jpg) ## How Does the EU Entry/Exit System Work for UK Travellers? The biggest difference UK passport holders will notice is that entering the Schengen Area now involves creating or verifying a digital immigration record rather than simply having a passport stamped. For most British visitors travelling on short holidays, this means presenting a passport, having a facial image taken & providing fingerprints during their first EES registration. These details are linked to the traveller’s passport, allowing border authorities to record when someone enters or leaves the Schengen Area. The EES also helps monitor the existing restriction of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. That allowance has not changed, although the electronic system makes it considerably easier for immigration authorities to establish precisely how many days have been used. The registration process takes place at the border itself, potentially using self-service kiosks, dedicated booths or staffed immigration desks, depending on the airport or port. Travellers aged under 12 are exempt from fingerprint collection, although their other required details are still recorded. Once a traveller has registered, their EES record is normally valid for three years, meaning subsequent journeys should involve identity verification rather than repeating the complete initial process. A new passport, however, may require a fresh registration because the original record is associated with the previous travel document. One particularly important point is that EES is not a visa, nor does it grant additional permission to remain in Europe. British tourists can continue visiting Schengen countries under the existing short-stay rules, provided they meet the relevant entry requirements. For guests travelling on a typical five, seven or ten-day NaturesLens holiday, the duration of the visit is unlikely to cause difficulties on its own, although anyone combining several European holidays needs to consider their cumulative time in the region. ## Which NaturesLens Photography Holidays Are Affected by EES? The system applies across 29 European countries using EES, including some of our most popular wildlife photography destinations: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Poland, [Hungary](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/hungary/), Spain, Greece, [Bulgaria](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/bulgaria/) & Slovenia. It also applies in other Schengen countries such as France, Germany, Italy & the Netherlands, which guests may travel through on their way to a photographic destination. Our European wildlife photography holidays cover a remarkable variety of subjects & habitats, from the winter landscapes of northern Europe to the wetlands & mountain regions of southern Europe. The travel arrangements for each destination are different, but the same border requirements can apply when guests first enter the Schengen Area. Consider our winter photography holidays in [Finland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/finland/), where the objective might be photographing Golden Eagles, mammals or other northern wildlife in carefully chosen conditions. A guest travelling directly from the UK to Helsinki would normally encounter EES checks on arrival, whereas somebody connecting through Amsterdam or Frankfurt would ordinarily complete their Schengen entry formalities at that first airport before continuing to Finland. The same principle applies to our winter wildlife photography holidays in [Poland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/poland/), our Northern Sweden eagle photography holidays & our trips to photograph [Dalmatian Pelicans](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/dalmatian-pelican/) at Lake [Kerkini](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/greece/) in Greece. It is the point at which someone crosses the external Schengen border that matters, rather than the country in which their photography holiday ultimately takes place. [![Long Airport Terminal Corridor Lined With Large Windows](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/airport-terminal-corridor-lined-with-large-windows.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/airport-terminal-corridor-lined-with-large-windows.jpg) There are also important geographical distinctions. [Iceland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/iceland/), [Norway](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/norway/) & Switzerland are not EU members, yet they participate in EES because they belong to the Schengen Area. Conversely, Ireland & Cyprus are EU members but do not operate EES. For our guests, this distinction is particularly useful when booking connecting flights, because a journey involving several European airports does not necessarily mean completing full EES registration at each one. ## Will the Entry/Exit System Make Travelling to European Photography Holidays More Difficult? I do not believe EES should make European wildlife photography holidays significantly more difficult for most guests, although it would be unrealistic to suggest that additional border procedures cannot create delays. The system was introduced progressively between October 2025 & April 2026, giving airports, ports & immigration authorities time to adapt their procedures. While that initial implementation period has finished, the experience can still differ between locations because passenger volumes, facilities & staffing are not identical everywhere. The UK Government continues to advise travellers to allow extra time for border checks. From our perspective, the most important consideration is how those delays might affect the beginning of a photography holiday. NaturesLens itineraries are deliberately designed around photographic opportunities rather than conventional sightseeing schedules, often allowing extended sessions with productive subjects rather than moving continuously between locations to accumulate the largest possible species list. On a winter trip to Greece, for example, the light falling across the water at [Lake Kerkini](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/greece/) can be as important as the presence of the Dalmatian Pelicans themselves. Beautifully illuminated plumage, clear backgrounds & opportunities to photograph birds approaching or taking flight depend upon being in the right position at the right time. A delayed arrival may be merely inconvenient if it occurs before an overnight stay, but considerably more disruptive if a guest has arranged to arrive immediately before a scheduled photographic session. This is why I have always been keen to ensure that travel arrangements leave sufficient breathing space wherever practical. Wildlife photography cannot be operated with the certainty of a conventional indoor activity; we are working with changing weather, natural behaviour & light that may be at its best for only part of the day. EES reinforces the value of that approach. The border procedure itself may take only a short time, but we should not build our travel arrangements around the assumption that every airport will process every arriving passenger immediately. ## What Should NaturesLens Guests Do Before Travelling to Europe? My advice is to treat EES as another consideration when arranging your journey, much as you would check airline baggage allowances, passport validity or the timing of your arrival transfer. There is no separate EES form to complete before departure, although it is worth making sure your passport complies with the Schengen entry requirements well before your holiday begins. For British passport holders travelling as short-stay visitors, the passport must normally have been issued less than ten years before the date of entry & remain valid for at least three months after the planned departure from the Schengen Area. Guests travelling on passports issued by other countries should check the requirements that apply to their nationality & immigration status. I would also encourage guests to allow a sensible interval between connecting flights, particularly when the connection involves entering the Schengen Area. A journey from London to [Skellefteå](https://natureslens.co.uk/specific-location/skelleftea/) via Stockholm, for example, involves completing immigration formalities in Sweden before continuing to the domestic flight. On our [Northern Sweden’s Eagles in Winter photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/sweden/northern-swedens-eagles/), we arrange four full days of specialist hide photography, working with [Golden Eagles](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/golden-eagle/), [White-tailed Eagles](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/white-tailed-eagle/) & other boreal forest species. Those sessions give photographers time to explore different compositions, respond to changes in behaviour & make the most of the beautiful winter light. I would much rather a guest arrived comfortably in time to settle into the accommodation than risk a tight connection that could compromise the first photographic day. [![Clouds And Sky Seen From An Aeroplane Window](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/clouds-and-sky-seen-from-an-aeroplane-window.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/clouds-and-sky-seen-from-an-aeroplane-window.jpg) One further consideration applies to photographers who travel extensively. If you enjoy joining several of our European holidays each year, perhaps combining Sweden in March, Spain in April & another European destination later in the summer, it is important to keep track of the 90-day allowance. EES does not reset that allowance every time you travel, nor does leaving the Schengen Area for a few days automatically begin a fresh 90-day entitlement. ## Is EES the Same as ETIAS, & Will Guests Need Both? EES & ETIAS are two separate European border systems, although it is understandable that they are being confused because both form part of the move towards digital immigration controls. EES records a traveller’s arrival & departure, together with the necessary identity information, at the border. ETIAS, the European Travel Information & Authorisation System, will be a separate authorisation that many visa-exempt travellers, including British passport holders, must obtain before travelling to participating European countries once it becomes applicable. As of 16 October [2026](https://natureslens.co.uk/during/2026/), EES is operational, whereas ETIAS has not yet started accepting applications. The EU has indicated that ETIAS is expected to begin in the final quarter of 2026, but its official website has not yet announced a specific launch date. Travellers therefore do not currently need to apply, although the position should be checked again before future holidays. When ETIAS becomes applicable, the standard application fee will be €20, with exemptions from that fee for applicants under 18 or over 70, amongst certain other eligible groups. An approved authorisation will generally remain valid for three years or until the associated passport expires, whichever occurs first. It will not replace the EES registration process or guarantee admission at the border. For NaturesLens guests, this means that future travel preparation may involve two distinct stages: obtaining ETIAS authorisation before departure, when required, followed by EES identity checks when crossing the Schengen border. We welcome photographers from many different countries, so it is important not to assume that everybody travelling with us will have identical requirements. Nationality, passport type, residence status & the purpose of travel can all affect which arrangements apply. Guests travelling on EU passports, for example, are not subject to the same EES requirements as British short-stay visitors. The best approach is to check official information rather than rely upon commercial websites offering paid registration services. Both the official EU Entry/Exit System website & official ETIAS website provide information directly from the European Union. ## Why Does Understanding EES Matter for Your Next NaturesLens Photography Holiday? Ultimately, EES is a change to the journey rather than to the photography holiday itself. It does not alter the behaviour of Golden Eagles in Sweden, the spectacular winter gatherings of Dalmatian Pelicans in [Greece](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/greece/) or the opportunities to photograph wildlife in the forests, wetlands & mountains of Europe. What it does change is the importance of ensuring that the practical arrangements surrounding a holiday are sufficiently robust to accommodate additional border procedures without unnecessarily eating into our photographic time. I have always regarded that time as one of the most valuable elements of a NaturesLens holiday. When we are photographing wildlife, I would rather spend another hour working with a cooperative subject in beautiful light than rush away simply to add another species to a list. Equally, if conditions change, having the flexibility to adjust our plans can make the difference between an ordinary collection of photographs & a genuinely rewarding portfolio. That philosophy begins long before we enter a hide or position ourselves beside a lake. It influences how we arrange accommodation, transfers, group sizes & the time allocated to individual photographic sessions. With EES now established across the Schengen Area & ETIAS expected to follow, international travel to [Europe](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/) is becoming more digitally managed. For guests travelling with NaturesLens, my advice is simply to check your documents carefully, understand which requirements apply to your passport & allow reasonable time for immigration procedures. We will continue to take account of these developments when planning our European photography holidays & advising guests about their travel arrangements. Our priority remains the same: making sure that, once we reach our destination, we can concentrate on the wildlife, the light, the backgrounds & the moments that make travelling with a camera so rewarding. **Related Trips:** [Northern Sweden's Eagles In Winter Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/sweden/northern-swedens-eagles/) **Explore by Country:** [Sweden](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/sweden/) **Related Species:** [Arctic Redpoll](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/arctic-redpoll/), [Bohemian Waxwing](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/bohemian-waxwing/), [Common Redpoll](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/common-redpoll/), [Eurasian Bullfinch](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/eurasian-bullfinch/), [Golden Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/golden-eagle/), [Northern Goshawk](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/northern-goshawk/), [Pine Grosbeak](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/pine-grosbeak/), [Red Fox](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/red-fox/), [Siberian Jay](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/siberian-jay/), [Siberian Tit](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/siberian-tit/), [White-tailed Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/white-tailed-eagle/) & [Willow Tit](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/willow-tit/) - [![One Of The Bonellis Eagles Found On The Estate Photographed On The Estate Used For The Natureslens Birds Of Extremadura Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-the-Bonellis-Eagles-found-on-the-estate-photographed-on-the-estate-used-for-the-NaturesLens-Birds-of-Extremadura-photography-holiday-300x225.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/06/10/wildlife-photography-holiday-in-extremadura/) ### [Wildlife Photography Holiday in Extremadura](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/06/10/wildlife-photography-holiday-in-extremadura/) June 10, 2025 See what awaits you during our wildlife photography holiday in Extremadura ... imagine mornings with griffon vultures circling crimson skies,… - [![A Goose Stepping Vulture Photographed During The Natureslens Zimanga Photo Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/a-goose-stepping-vulture-photographed-during-the-natureslens-zimanga-photo-tour.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2019/04/14/zimanga-photo-tour/) ### [Beautiful safari images from Alan’s Zimanga Photo Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/2019/04/14/zimanga-photo-tour/) April 14, 2019 Part three of a series of blog posts showcasing Alan's images from his Zimanga photo tour taken on game drives… - [![Heipi Travel Tripod Review](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Heipi-Travel-Tripod-Review-5.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/08/26/heipi-travel-tripod-review-long-term-field-use/) ### [HEIPI Travel Tripod Review – Long-Term Field Use & Real-World Verdict](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/08/26/heipi-travel-tripod-review-long-term-field-use/) August 26, 2026 After two years of extensive real-world use, we revisit the HEIPI Travel Tripod to see how it has stood up… In this articleJump to section 1. [How Does the EU Entry/Exit System Work for UK Travellers?](https://natureslens.co.uk/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-natureslens-guests/#how-does-the-eu-entryexit-system-work-for-uk-travellers) 1. [Which NaturesLens Photography Holidays Are Affected by EES?](https://natureslens.co.uk/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-natureslens-guests/#which-natureslens-photography-holidays-are-affected-by-ees) 1. [Will the Entry/Exit System Make Travelling to European Photography Holidays More Difficult?](https://natureslens.co.uk/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-natureslens-guests/#will-the-entryexit-system-make-travelling-to-european-photography-holidays-more-difficult) 1. [What Should NaturesLens Guests Do Before Travelling to Europe?](https://natureslens.co.uk/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-natureslens-guests/#what-should-natureslens-guests-do-before-travelling-to-europe) 1. [Is EES the Same as ETIAS, & Will Guests Need Both?](https://natureslens.co.uk/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-natureslens-guests/#is-ees-the-same-as-etias-will-guests-need-both) 1. [Why Does Understanding EES Matter for Your Next NaturesLens Photography Holiday?](https://natureslens.co.uk/eu-entry-exit-system-ees-natureslens-guests/#why-does-understanding-ees-matter-for-your-next-natureslens-photography-holiday) ### Author Next step ### Find your next wildlife photography holiday Browse small-group trips by destination, subject, season and photographic goal. [Browse Holidays](https://natureslens.co.uk/) ### Article topics ### Field notes by email New articles, trip reports and wildlife photography holiday announcements from NaturesLens. [Join The List](https://natureslens.co.uk/newsletter-preferences/)