EES Border Questions: What School Groups Can Expect

The new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) was launched in October 2025. Instead of border officials stamping passports, each traveller will have their photo and fingerprints taken using digital kiosks at the border.

The new system applies to all non-EU travellers, including school groups from the UK. Everyone in the group will need to complete the process, though children under 12 will not need to give fingerprints.

As part of the new digital checks, you may also be asked a few questions about your school trip. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare your students before you travel.

What EES questions might you be asked?

This can vary by country, but these are the most common.

1. Do you have accommodation booked?
   A. Yes. Your itinerary includes the details of your group’s hotel booking or the address of the centre where you are staying.
2. Do you have sufficient means/funds for your stay?  
   A. Yes. School trip packages are booked and paid for in advance, so students won’t need additional funds during the trip.
3. Do you have return tickets?
   A. Yes. The details of your return journey are included in your itinerary.
4. Do you have travel or medical insurance?
   A. If your group is covered by Voyager’s travel insurance, the details will be included in your paperwork. Otherwise, bring a copy of your school’s travel insurance or Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) documents.

You might also be asked

• The purpose of the visit
• The itinerary and duration of stay
• Details of previous visits to the EU or Schengen Area

Will EES questions vary between countries?

Frustratingly, there’s no single standard list of EES questions, so groups may encounter different procedures depending on the country. The wording may also vary slightly.

Countries may also temporarily remove the questions from the EES process, to prevent delays and disruption. For example, it's been reported that the French authorities have agreed to pause the travel questions for UK passengers while EES beds in.

The table below summarises information from the FCDO website (8/10/2025) outlining what you can expect at border control in France, Spain, Italy, and Germany.

At the border, you may be asked to:	France	Germany	Spain	Italy
Show proof of your accommodation	✔	x	✔	✔
Show proof of your travel insurance	✔	x	✔	✔
Show a return or onward ticket	✔	✔	✔	✔
Prove you have enough money for your stay	✔	✔	✔	✔

What if a student gets a question wrong?

Don’t worry — there’s no indication that a simple mistake will result in refusal of entry. However, if someone gives an incorrect answer, they may be referred to a border official for additional checks, which could cause a short delay.

We've got your back

The new EES system will make border crossings a little slower at first, but with the right preparation your group should pass through smoothly. Voyager School Travel will ensure your trip paperwork is in order and provide updates as the EES process beds in.

More on this topic

• New EU travel rules - all your EES & ETIAS questions answered
• Fast-track border process - speedier French border checks for school trips travelling through Dover