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Research and analysis

Great Britain's commercial road transport and the European Union's Entry/Exit System

Research on Great Britain's (GB) commercial road transport operators’ exposure, awareness and preparedness for the European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES).

From:
Department for Transport
Published:
30 July 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

EES operator evidence methodology

PDF, 1.39 MB, 90 pages

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Operators' expectations of EES

PDF, 1.92 MB, 58 pages

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Operators' expectations of EES (annexes to main report)

PDF, 1.12 MB, 40 pages

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Details

Presents findings from research into road transport between Great Britain and the Schengen area under the European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES). EES is a new digital border system that records the entry and exit of non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen area.

The study

This research study consisted of 2 parts.

  • Part 1: EES operator evidence methodology
  • Part 2: operators’ expectations of EES
  • Part 2: operators’ expectations of EES (annexes to main report)

Part 1 – GB to Schengen area road transport under the EU’s EES: methodological approach to gathering evidence from GB goods and passenger transport operators.

This report sets out an analytical approach for monitoring and evaluating the impacts of EES on GB goods and passenger transport operators. It outlines:

  • potential monitoring and evaluation options
  • key indicators
  • evidence gaps

The report also proposes proportionate data collection approaches to support potential future analysis as the EES system is implemented.  

Part 2 – GB to Schengen area road transport under the EU’s EES: GB goods and passenger transport operators’ expectations of the EES and Schengen short-stay rule. 

This report presents findings from a baseline survey and in-depth interviews with GB goods and passenger transport operators, conducted shortly before and after EES rollout began. It examines:

  • operator exposure
  • awareness and preparedness
  • current compliance with the Schengen 90/180-day rule
  • anticipated operational and workforce impacts

‘Operator exposure’ refers to the extent to which operators’ journeys are affected by EES requirements.

These reports provide early descriptive evidence to support understanding of:

  • operator exposure
  • preparedness
  • potential impacts during the early stages of EES implementation

The reports do not assess policy effectiveness or make policy recommendations.

Updates to this page

Published 30 July 2026

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