Starting on October 12, 2025, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) for travelers will begin to be rolled out at the external borders of European countries. Designed to modernize controls, this system will be fully operational by April 2026.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a European program aimed at automating the registration of third-country nationals entering and exiting the external borders of the Schengen area.
While the various bodies of the European Union had previously approved a gradual rollout of the EES, a date for its entry into operation has now been announced by the EU.
The European authorities explain that “the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders.“
The system will therefore be introduced in stages, with full deployment expected in early Q2 2026. ”This progressive implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system,” says the European Union.
What is the EES system?
The EES system aims to replace manual passport stamps with automated digital registration.
Each time a traveler crosses the border, the system will collect:
- the traveler’s personal data (surname, first name, date of birth, nationality),
- their travel document data,
- as well as biometric data (fingerprints and/or facial image),
- the date, time, and place of entry into or exit from the Schengen area.
The EES applies to third-country nationals staying in the Schengen area for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), whether they are visa-exempt or hold a short-stay visa.
What specific changes will travelers see?
Automated border crossing
Travelers will need to register at border crossing points equipped with automated kiosks or counters. This process will involve collecting fingerprints and/or a facial photo when they first enter the Schengen Area. Subsequent crossings will be faster, thanks to the data already on file.
Biometric data collected according to the traveler’s profile
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will store different types of data depending on whether or not the traveler needs a short-stay visa to enter the Schengen area.
- If a visa is required, only facial images will be recorded in the EES. As fingerprints have already been collected when the visa was applied for, they are not taken again when crossing the border.
- If no visa is required, the system will collect four fingerprints and a facial image directly when crossing the border.
Please note: children under the age of 12 are not subject to fingerprinting, even if they are registered in the system.
End of manual stamping
With the entry into force of the EES, travelers’ passports will no longer be stamped manually. Entry and exit data will be recorded automatically, enabling authorities to calculate the length of the authorized stay accurately.
Group travelers, unaccompanied minors, and persons with specific needs will be able to benefit from assistance or adapted procedures in accordance with the provisions of each member country. The aim is to maintain the smooth flow of traffic while complying with control obligations.
Better detection of overstayers
One of the objectives of the system is to enable Member States to better detect irregular stays. The EES will automatically generate alerts if a person exceeds the authorized length of stay.
The data collected will be stored in the EES for a limited period of time, as required by European legislation. Guarantees are in place to ensure privacy and information security.
The EES, a first step towards ETIAS
The introduction of the EES also paves the way for the implementation of the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), an electronic travel authorization system similar to the US ESTA and scheduled for the end of 2026.
The ETIAS, the fee of which has already increased even before it comes into force, will apply to nationals of visa-exempt countries, who will have to obtain prior authorization before entering the Schengen area.
Scheduled to be launched after the EES is fully operational, ETIAS will enable pre-screening of travelers as soon as they book their trip. This dual innovation (EES + ETIAS) represents a major development in EU border control policy.
