12
Oct 2025
Europe’s long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) officially starts rolling out today, October 12, marking a major change in how non-EU travelers enter and leave the Schengen Area.
The system now requires all non-EU visitors to register their fingerprints and facial images when crossing into Europe’s passport-free zone.
This new EU-wide biometric database will gradually replace manual passport stamps, digitally tracking travelers’ movements across 29 countries. The EES is set to be fully operational by April 10, 2026.
From passport stamps to biometric data
Under the new system, travelers from outside the EU and Schengen Area must scan their passports, provide fingerprints, and have a facial photo taken when they first arrive.
These details will be stored for three years, creating a digital record linked to each traveler’s identity and passport.
Children under 12 still need to register but only have to provide a photo. There are no fees for EES registration.
The European Commission said that the system aims to “modernize border management, strengthen security, and detect overstayers” by automatically tracking the 90-day limit for visa-free stays within any 180-day period.
It also replaces manual passport stamping, which critics have long called slow and error-prone.
Who will be affected
The system covers all non-EU citizens entering the Schengen Area, which includes 25 EU countries plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Ireland and Cyprus are not part of it and will keep using manual passport checks.
British travelers, now treated as third-country visitors after Brexit, are among those most affected.
People from visa-free countries—including the UK, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia—must complete EES registration the first time they enter the Schengen Zone after the rollout.
For frequent travelers, the system is meant to make future trips faster. After the first registration, later crossings will only need facial recognition instead of repeating the full process.
Where checks will take place
EES registration points will be set up at all international airports, seaports, and major land borders entering the Schengen Area.
In the United Kingdom, travelers will register when departing from the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, or the Eurostar terminal at London St Pancras, where French border police handle exit checks.
At these UK terminals, travelers’ biometric data will be collected before boarding. When they arrive in France, they won’t need to register again until they leave the EU.
(Image courtesy of Erich Westendarp via Pixabay)
A staggered rollout across Europe
Although the system officially launches today, the EU is rolling it out over six months to prevent long border delays.
The European Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems (eu-LISA) confirmed that all 29 participating countries are technically ready, but each will implement it differently.
Estonia, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic are starting full operations this weekend, registering all non-EU travelers from day one.
“In Estonia, the system will be implemented at all border crossing points at the same time,” said Katre Vahtra from the Estonian Ministry of the Interior. “In the first few weeks, there may be longer queues than usual, but this is a natural part of launching such a major system change.”
Other countries, like the Netherlands, are taking a gradual approach. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport will begin a limited launch on November 3, with broader expansion planned for December. Seaports and smaller airports will follow in early 2026.
This transition period lets border agencies use both manual and digital systems while adjusting staff and technology.
Concerns about delays
European and UK authorities have warned travelers to expect longer processing times, especially during the first few months.
Britain’s Road Haulage Association also cautioned that freight and coach traffic could face delays, particularly during busy periods like Easter 2026.
To avoid major congestion, EU officials said that border agents can temporarily pause EES checks if lines get too long. The European Commission has also worked with transport operators and national authorities to run tests and train staff before the rollout.
At Dover and Folkestone, the system will first apply to freight and coach passengers starting today. Car passengers will be added in November, with full implementation by the end of the year. Eurostar will introduce the new checks in stages.
Security, data protection
Each traveler’s biometric and travel information will be securely stored for three years in a central EU database managed by eu-LISA.
The data is protected under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which restricts access to authorized staff and enforces strict rules on how the data can be used and kept.
Officials said that the EES will help the EU fight identity fraud and irregular migration while making border checks faster and more consistent across all entry points.
EU authorities also clarified that the system will not track people’s movements within Europe—only when they enter and leave. It will automatically check if travelers follow visa-free stay limits, helping tourists and business visitors avoid overstaying.
(Image courtesy of Bombaert via iStock)
Transition toward ETIAS
The biometric system lays the groundwork for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is set to launch in late 2026.
ETIAS will require travelers from visa-free countries to apply online for pre-travel authorization by paying a €20 fee and providing basic personal and trip details.
Once approved, ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
Officials said that together, EES and ETIAS will improve how Europe tracks visitors and identify possible security risks before they arrive.
Testing, readiness across member states
The EES–ETIAS Advisory Group confirmed that all EU countries are technically ready to integrate the new systems. However, each country can decide whether to launch them immediately or roll them out in stages, depending on their infrastructure.
Estonia’s Ministry of the Interior said that it has trained border officers and installed new self-service kiosks and fingerprint scanners at crossing points. Luxembourg and the Czech Republic have also confirmed they are prepared for a full rollout.
At the same time, the European Commission has started an information campaign to help travelers understand the new process through airports, ferry terminals, and online platforms.
Airlines, border operators brace for change
Airlines and transport companies are updating their boarding processes and document checks to fit the new system.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has worked with EU authorities to connect EES-compatible systems to existing passenger data flows, allowing airlines to confirm biometric registration in advance when possible.
At London’s Eurostar terminal, French border officials will handle biometric data collection. The operator said that travelers should expect “some additional waiting time” in the first few months but noted that the systems were tested to keep delays minimal.
Ports in Dover and Calais have also added hundreds of new kiosks for travelers to scan fingerprints and facial images as part of an EU-funded project to modernize border crossings.
(Image courtesy of EvgeniyShkolenko via iStock)
National variations, local preparations
Although the rollout covers the entire EU, implementation will vary by country.
France’s Ministry of the Interior has installed thousands of biometric gates at major airports like Charles de Gaulle and Nice, while Poland and Greece have upgraded their border control software to connect with the central EES system.
Smaller land borders, such as those between Hungary and non-EU countries like Serbia or Ukraine, will likely see slower implementation because of heavy regional and commuter traffic.
Technological framework
The EES is managed by eu-LISA, the agency that runs several major EU data systems, including Eurodac (for asylum seekers) and SIS (the Schengen Information System).
It connects with these systems to improve identification accuracy and prevent people from entering under false identities.
The system uses self-service kiosks with facial recognition cameras and fingerprint scanners. After the first registration, each traveler should be processed in under two minutes.
All information—such as name, passport number, biometric data, and travel dates—is automatically checked against security databases like Interpol and Europol before entry is approved.
Addressing privacy, ethical concerns
While privacy groups have voiced concerns about biometric surveillance, the EU maintained that the system fully follows data protection laws.
Personal data will not be shared with private companies and can only be accessed by border and law enforcement agencies under specific legal conditions.
A European Commission spokesperson said that the EES “does not involve facial recognition tracking within the EU” and added that safeguards include encryption, audit logs, and automatic deletion of data once the retention period ends.
Independent regulators, such as the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), will keep monitoring compliance.
(Image courtesy of FroggyFrogg via iStock)
Comparison with global border systems
The EU’s biometric entry and exit system follows a global trend. The United States uses a similar program called Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and Canada operates the Entry/Exit Initiative, both relying on biometric checks for non-residents.
What sets the EU apart is its scale. The system spans 29 countries and processes millions of travelers each year, making it one of the largest biometric border systems in the world.
Impact on border personnel, costs
Member states have made major investments in training and infrastructure. France alone spent over €80 million to upgrade its border technology.
The rollout is funded by both the EU’s Internal Security Fund and national budgets, covering the installation of self-service kiosks, cameras, and IT systems.
The EES–ETIAS Advisory Group said that one key benefit is greater efficiency. Automated checks will reduce officers’ workload, allowing them to focus on high-risk travelers instead of manually inspecting documents.
Preparing travelers for the change
The European Commission released detailed guidance for travelers, explaining that the new system will replace passport stamping but not visa requirements. The first registration may take a few minutes per person, depending on how busy the border is.
Eurostar and Eurotunnel passengers should arrive earlier for departures to allow extra time for the new checks, especially families or large tour groups. Frequent business travelers are advised to pre-register during less busy hours when possible.
(Image courtesy of Danny_Hawkwood via Pixabay)
A new era for EU border crossings begins
With the launch of the EES, travel to and from Europe is entering a major shift. Non-EU travelers will now have their entries and exits recorded digitally using fingerprint and facial recognition technology instead of passport stamps.
Although the rollout will take time, it marks the EU’s move toward stricter and more efficient border control. The first few months may bring longer lines or some confusion, but the system aims to make future trips smoother and reduce overstays.
By linking personal and travel data, the EU hopes to combine convenience with stronger security.
For travelers and migrants, this change is more than just a new process—it shows how global travel is moving into the digital era. Once ETIAS launches in 2026, border checks across Europe could become faster, paperless, and more consistent