Europe will Launch Entry/Exit System on October 12

The European Union will begin rolling out its long-planned Entry/Exit System (EES) on October 12, 2025, marking a major upgrade to border checks for non-EU visitors.

The new system replaces manual passport stamps with a digital record of entries and exits, aiming to reduce overstays and streamline border management across the Schengen Area.

How the EES Works

Starting October 12, travellers entering the Schengen Zone for short stays will be registered electronically.

On a first trip after launch, travellers must:

• Scan their passport
• Provide a live facial photo
• Give four fingerprints (if visa-exempt)

Travellers who already gave fingerprints during a visa application will mainly provide a facial image at the border. On later trips, border officers verify stored records digitally, speeding up checks.

The rollout will be phased across 29 Schengen countries, beginning with airports and later extending to land and sea borders. Full coverage is expected by April 2026.

Who Must Enrol and Who Is Exempt

• Must enrol: Non-EU short-stay travellers, including citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and other visa-exempt nations
• Children under 12: Only provide a facial image, no fingerprints
• Exempt: Residents of Schengen countries and holders of long-stay visas, though they should carry residence cards or visas to ensure proper routing at the border

Data Retention and Privacy

The EES will store:

• Passport details
• Biometric data (photo and fingerprints)
• Entry and exit records

Data will normally be retained for three years, or up to five years if no exit is recorded or if a traveller overstays. Access is strictly limited to authorised border and immigration authorities under EU law.

Tips for a Smooth First EES Crossing

• Arrive early for your first post-launch journey, especially at busy airports and land crossings.

• Follow signage to EES kiosks and be ready for a photo and fingerprints.

• Keep documents handy — proof of accommodation, return tickets, and funds may still be requested.

• Families and groups should expect to be directed to staffed desks during peak travel hours.

Once enrolled, travellers will benefit from faster crossings and automated tracking of their 90-day allowance within a 180-day period.

How EES Works With ETIAS

The EES is separate from the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

• EES: Records border crossings and biometric data
• ETIAS: A pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, expected to launch in late 2026

Together, EES and ETIAS will form the EU’s new digital border management system.

Future Implementation Across Schengen

EU officials say the system will improve border security, reduce overstays, and eventually shorten queues once initial enrolments are complete.

In the early months, travellers should prepare for longer processing times at certain crossings as Member States scale up infrastructure.

By spring 2026, the EES is expected to be fully operational across all air, land, and sea borders in the Schengen Area.