Home » TRAVEL NEWS » Greece, Germany, Italy, France, Austria, And Spain To Implement The EES In October 2025, Streamlining Border Crossings And Enhancing Security Across The Schengen Area
Published on
October 20, 2025
Starting in October 2025, Greece, Germany, Italy, France, Austria, and Spain will implement the Entry/Exit System (EES), a major step towards modernizing border control procedures across the Schengen Area. This new digital system will streamline border crossings by replacing traditional passport stamps with biometric data, including facial scans and fingerprints, significantly enhancing security and efficiency. The EES aims to provide faster processing times for travelers, reduce wait times at border checks, and improve overall security by accurately tracking non-EU nationals entering and leaving the Schengen Zone. This shift to digital border control promises to transform the travel experience, ensuring safer and more efficient travel for everyone.
Starting in October 2025, Greece will join a number of other Schengen Zone countries in implementing the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new digital border control mechanism designed to improve security and enhance travel efficiency for non-EU nationals. The system aims to streamline the border crossing process while making it more secure for travelers and local authorities alike.
The EES will replace the traditional passport stamping process for visitors coming from non-EU countries. Instead of having their passports stamped each time they enter or exit a Schengen Zone country, travelers will be required to submit biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans. These data will be collected when entering and leaving any of the 26 Schengen member states, which include Greece, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Austria, and others.
For travelers planning to visit the Schengen Area, it’s crucial to understand what this new system will entail and how to prepare for the upcoming changes.
What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is a centralized system designed to keep track of non-EU nationals entering and exiting the Schengen Zone. By collecting biometric data, such as facial recognition and fingerprints, the system ensures a more secure and accurate record of each traveler’s movements. The system will also track how long each visitor has been in the Schengen Area, which will help enforce the 90-day rule for short stays. For visitors planning to stay beyond 90 days, the system will assist in monitoring their legal status and help prevent overstays.
The system will replace the manual process of passport stamping with an automatic system that gathers essential data for immigration purposes. The data collected will be stored in a secure database and will be accessible to border control officers when needed, improving efficiency and security at Schengen borders. Visitors will no longer need to present their passport for a stamp; instead, the biometric data will be linked to the traveler’s entry and exit details.
This system is designed to make border crossings faster and more secure, as well as provide more accurate tracking of non-EU nationals who may overstay their visas.
Greece’s Role in the EES Implementation
Greece, a primary gateway to southern Europe and one of the most popular destinations in the Schengen Area, will play a central role in the rollout of the Entry/Exit System. Key entry points, including Athens International Airport and Piraeus Port, are being upgraded to accommodate the new digital systems that will collect biometric data from travelers. These improvements will help facilitate the smooth transition to the new system and ensure that travelers’ movements can be accurately recorded.
The adoption of the EES system will have a significant impact on travelers entering Greece, especially during the busy summer months when tourism is at its peak. While the transition may cause some delays in the short term, the long-term benefits of the system are expected to outweigh any initial challenges. Once fully implemented, the EES will help reduce waiting times at borders, increase security, and provide more seamless travel for both tourists and business travelers.
How the Entry/Exit System Affects Travelers
If you are planning to visit Greece or any other Schengen country starting in October 2025, there are a few key changes you need to prepare for:
Biometric Registration
Upon arrival in the Schengen Zone, you will need to provide biometric data, which includes a fingerprint scan and a facial recognition scan. This data will be collected at the border entry points, and it will be linked to your passport and travel information. When you leave the Schengen Area, the system will automatically record your exit and ensure that your stay is within the allotted 90-day period.
Short-Stay Schengen Visa Requirements
For travelers planning to visit Greece or any other Schengen country for tourism, business, or family purposes, the following visa requirements apply:
- Duration: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
- Documents Needed:
- Valid passport
- Travel insurance
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of financial means
- Return ticket
- Visa Fee: €80 for adults, €40 for minors
The biometric data will be used to track the dates of entry and exit for those holding short-stay visas. It is important to ensure you are aware of your entry and exit dates to avoid overstaying your visa.
Long-Stay Visa (National Visa)
For travelers who intend to stay longer than 90 days, such as for work or study, a national visa will be required. The biometric registration will also apply to those applying for long-stay visas, but the procedures for obtaining and renewing these visas will remain separate from the short-stay visa process.
Impact of EES on Border Control and Travel Experience
The rollout of the Entry/Exit System across the Schengen Area, including Greece, marks a major shift in the way borders are managed in Europe. While there may be some short-term delays as the system is implemented, the long-term benefits are expected to be significant.
Increased security will be one of the primary advantages of the system. By replacing passport stamps with biometric data, border control officers will have access to a more accurate and secure record of each traveler’s movements, helping to prevent overstays and improve immigration enforcement.
Additionally, the system will speed up the border-crossing process, reducing wait times for travelers. The EES will allow for automatic processing of non-EU nationals at border entry points, creating a smoother travel experience. Visitors will no longer have to worry about waiting in long lines for passport stamps, and the system will make travel more efficient.
In October 2025, Greece, Germany, Italy, France, Austria, and Spain will implement the Entry/Exit System (EES), replacing passport stamps with biometric data to streamline border crossings and enhance security across the Schengen Area. This shift will improve travel efficiency and provide more accurate tracking of non-EU nationals.
If you are planning a trip to Greece or any other Schengen country after October 2025, it is essential to be prepared for biometric registration and the new border control procedures. The Entry/Exit System will help improve security and efficiency at borders, making travel smoother and more secure for all visitors. Be sure to check the updated visa requirements and ensure you have the necessary documentation and biometric data ready for your trip.
