Travellers to Europe will face new border rules when the EU’s long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) launches on Sunday, October 12.
Manual passport stamps will be replaced by a digital record, and biometric data — including facial scans and fingerprints — will be required.
All non-European Union citizens travelling to Schengen countries will need to provide biometric data, as well as entry and exit dates.
For the purpose of the EES, a non-EU national is defined as any traveller who does not hold the nationality of a European Union country or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
The EES is free for non-EU travellers visiting Schengen Area countries for a short stay. This covers visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
How biometric checks will work
According to the official EU website, biometric data — including fingerprints and facial scans — will only need to be collected on the first visit after October 12.
The EU explained: “You will have to provide your personal data. Passport control officers will take a photo of your face and/or scan your fingerprints. This information will be recorded in a digital file.
“This process can be quicker if you register some of your data in advance. You can do this by using dedicated equipment (‘self-service systems’), if available at your border crossing point, or a mobile application if made available by the country of arrival or departure. In any of the instances above, you will meet a passport control officer.”
On subsequent visits, border checks will be quicker.
The EU added: “The photo of your face and/or your fingerprints will already be recorded in the EES. The passport control officers will only verify your fingerprints and photo, which will take less time.
“In rare cases, it may be necessary to collect and record your data again.
“If you hold a biometric passport, you will be able to enter more quickly using the self-service system, if available at that border crossing point.”
What data is collected
Travellers must provide their personal data each time they cross the external borders of the countries using the EES. The system collects, records, and stores:
- Data from your travel documents, including full name and date of birth
- Date and place of each entry and exit
- Facial image and fingerprints
- Records of any entry refusals
Visitors who hold a short-stay visa to enter the Schengen Area will already have biometric data stored in the Visa Information System (VIS), and will not need to be stored again in the EES.
Why the EU introduced the EES
According to the European Commission, the new system aims to:
- Modernise border management by electronically registering non-EU nationals’ entries, exits, or entry refusals
- Make border checks more efficient and improve the traveller experience over time
- Combat identity fraud by collecting biometric data
- Enhance security across the EU
- Support the fight against terrorism and serious organised crime by improving identity verification
Countries using the EES
The new rules apply to visitors entering or exiting the following 29 countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
EES rollout timeline
The Entry/Exit System will be deployed gradually across the external borders of the 29 participating European countries over a six-month period.
Each country will introduce the system in phases, including the collection of biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints.
Border officers may not collect travellers’ biometric data at every crossing point immediately, and they may delay registering some personal information in the system during the early rollout.
Border officers will stamp passports until the new system is fully implemented.
This phased implementation will last until April 9, 2026. From April 10, 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border points of the participating countries.
Emirates issues travel advisory
Emirates has advised travellers to expect longer border checks when visiting Europe once the EES goes live.
In a statement, the Dubai-based carrier said: “From October 12, 2025, the European Union will begin introducing a new Entry/Exit System (EES) at Schengen borders.
“This system replaces the manual passport stamping process with a digital record of your entry and exit, including basic details and biometric data such as fingerprints and a facial image.
“If you are a non-EU or Schengen national travelling to or from the Schengen Area for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), the EES applies to you.
“When you first arrive, border officers will collect your biometric data along with your passport details. This will be stored securely in the EES database.
“On subsequent visits, you will not need to repeat the full process — your data will already be in the system. Your entry and exit will simply be recorded digitally.
“EU citizens, Schengen residents, and those holding long-stay visas or residence permits are not affected.
“Please allow extra time for border checks, especially on your first trip after the system goes live.”
What comes next
The European Commission has confirmed that the EES will pave the way for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a new pre-travel authorisation expected to launch in 2026.
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