The new EES entry-exit system will be operational in Europe from October 12, 2025. Find out who needs to register, what biometric data is collected, how the control process works, how to prepare for your trip and much more useful information

From October 12, 2025, the biometric entry-exit control system (EES) will officially start operating in Europe. The new border control rules will be in effect in all EU countries and will apply to most travelers entering the Schengen area.

In this article, we will tell you in detail what the EES system is, who needs to register and what the verification procedure is.

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Key facts about the launch of the EES system

- Start of work: October 12, 2025 (gradual implementation will continue until April 10, 2026).

- Who must register: third-country nationals (non-EU) travelling to Europe for less than 90 days.

- Biometrics: photo for all travellers and 4 fingerprints for visa-free travellers.

- Who is exempt from registration: EU, EEA, Swiss citizens, as well as holders of residence permits and citizens of Monaco, Andorra, San Marino and Vatican City.

- Data retention period: 3 years, or 5 years if the authorised period of stay has been exceeded.

- Where the system will operate: in 29 European countries (Schengen area, EEA and Switzerland).

- Countries not participating: Ireland and Cyprus will continue to stamp passports.

- Processing time: the procedure is expected to take 1.5-3 times longer than the current stamping.

- Cost: free (there is no fee for registering in the EES).

What is the Entry-Exit System (EES)?

The Entry-Exit System (EES) is a new electronic border control system that will start operating on 12 October 2025. It will replace traditional passport stamps with a digital registration when crossing the external borders of 29 European countries.

The system will record the entry and exit of all third-country nationals travelling to the Schengen area for a short stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. According to the European Commission, the new rules will apply to both visa holders and visa-free travellers.

The system will be implemented gradually: by 10 April 2026, all countries must fully switch to the EES. During this transitional period, some borders may still continue to stamp passports.

What data will the Schengen Entry and Exit System (EES) collect?

- Facial image (for all travellers).

- Fingerprints (for visa-free travellers).

- Biometric information from the passport.

- Dates and places of entry and exit.

The system will automatically calculate how many days the traveller has already spent in the Schengen area and how many days remain before the permitted limit is reached. The collected data will be stored for 3 years (or 5 years if the duration of stay has been exceeded).

Which countries are included in the EES?

The Entry-Exit System (EES) will cover 29 European countries, including all 25 EU Schengen Member States, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

- The Entry and Exit System includes

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 • Switzerland

Interesting: Switzerland has been preparing for the implementation of the EES system since 2016, therefore it is considered one of the countries most prepared for the transition to the new border control system.

- Not participating in the Entry and Exit System

Ireland and Cyprus

These countries remain outside the EES system and will continue to stamp passports. For example, if you fly from Dublin to Paris, your passport will be stamped when you depart Ireland, and scanned within the EES when you arrive in France.

Who must register with the EES?

All citizens of non-EU or non-Schengen countries who are making short trips of up to 90 days in any 180-day period must register with the Entry/Exit System (EES).

At the first registration, the system will automatically collect:

- A real-time facial image (for all travellers);

- Four fingerprints (for visa-exempt travellers). For visa holders, fingerprints are not taken again as they are already stored in the Visa Information System (VIS).

Children under 12 years of age are exempt from fingerprinting, but their photograph is taken during registration.

Who is exempt from registering with the EES?

In accordance with Article 2(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, the EES does not apply to the following categories of persons when crossing borders:

- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens.

- Citizens of EU, EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Swiss citizens.

- Citizens of Ireland and Cyprus (despite being EU members, these countries do not implement the EES).

- Holders of residence permits or long-stay visas: holders of residence permits of any EEA country, holders of long-stay visas (type D), family members of EU citizens holding a residence permit (in accordance with Articles 10 and 20(1) of Directive 2004/38/EC).

- Persons with special status: citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, holders of passports issued by the Vatican or the Holy See.

- Diplomatic and official categories: heads of state and members of their official delegations, diplomats and officials enjoying immunity under the Vienna Convention, NATO or Partnership for Peace personnel moving in accordance with the NATO Status of Forces Agreement.

- Exceptions for transport and border personnel: employees of border regions defined by bilateral agreements, holders of local border traffic permits, crew members of ships, aircraft, passenger and freight trains performing official duties, persons on board pleasure boats or coastal fishing vessels who do not undergo border control.

Please note! Researchers, students, au pairs or intra-corporate transferees are exempted from registration only if they have long-term visas or residence permits, and not because of the purpose of the trip itself.

How does EES registration work?

According to ACI Europe recommendations, three types of systems will be used at European airports to register travellers in the EES:

- Traditional booths with biometric equipment and verification by a border guard.

- Self-service kiosks, where part of the process is carried out by the traveller himself, and then checked by an officer.

- Fully automated kiosks, providing the entire process without the participation of a border guard.

What will the first registration in the EES involve?

- Passport scan.

- Facial photograph.

- Fingerprinting (for visa-free travellers).

- Verification of data in the VIS and SIS databases.

- Creation of a digital traveller record.

Note: When taking biometric data, the system scans four fingers – index, middle, ring and little finger from one hand. If the scan fails, the procedure is repeated for the other hand. Thumbs are not scanned.

Re-entry on the basis of the EES system?

During subsequent visits within three years, a full re-registration is not required. To pass the control, it is enough to:

- scan your passport;

- undergo a biometric facial scan.

Thanks to this, the processing time will be significantly shorter than during the initial registration.

Is it possible to register in the EES system before traveling?

At the moment, there is no online pre-registration. All data is collected directly at the border or at the airport during the first entry.

What should I do if I planned to register in the EES, but there was a technical failure?

If there are system errors or delays, temporary exceptions are possible:

- border guards may revert to stamping the passport;

- data may be stored locally for later upload to the system;

- in exceptional cases, officers may manually override biometric requirements.

Important! During the 180-day transition period, in case of discrepancies between the digital record and the passport, the stamp in the passport will prevail.

Expected processing times after the launch of the EES

According to ACI Europe, the processing times at the border could increase by 1.5-3 times compared to the current passport stamping process after the launch of the EES – especially during the initial implementation phase.

Factors affecting processing times:

- Registration type: first registration takes longer than a repeat visit;

- Visa status: Schengen visa holders already have their biometric data stored in the VIS;

- Number of travellers: if the whole family is travelling, the process may take longer;

- Technical difficulties: delays are possible due to system failures or difficulties in reading biometrics;

- Peak travel seasons: queues are possible during mass departures or holidays.

Tip: allow extra time for border control, especially from October 2025 to April 2026, while the transition to the new system is ongoing.

Important! If you are applying for a Schengen visa, your fingerprints are already stored in the VIS database. When registering in the EES, you do not need to submit them again – the procedure will be faster.

Launch and implementation of the EES

The EES will start on 12 October 2025 and will be gradually rolled out until 10 April 2026, according to the EU’s temporary regulation.

Each country will decide which border crossing points will be operational first:

- large international airports will be upgraded first;

- small land crossings may continue to stamp even until spring 2026.

How to prepare for the EES implementation?

Pre-registration is not available, but you can prepare in advance to avoid delays during your trip:

- Check your passport. Make sure it is machine-readable and valid for at least 3 months after your intended date of departure.

- Calculate your stay. Use the Schengen calculator or HelloSchengen to accurately track your 90-day limit.

- Plan extra time. There may be queues at the borders, especially during the transition period from October 2025 to April 2026.

- Medical restrictions. If you have a health condition that may make it difficult to read biometrics (e.g. skin problems or hand mobility), prepare medical documents.

- Business trips. Keep proof of the purpose of your trip - invitations, contracts, conference registrations to prove the legal nature of your stay.

- Dual citizenship. Always use the same passport for entry and exit, otherwise the system will not be able to link your data.

- Frequent travelers. Keep a record of all visits - the 90-day limit is calculated in total for all Schengen countries. Even short trips can quickly exhaust it.

Although the EES system is designed to increase security and convenience, the first months of its operation can be difficult. Therefore, the main rule is to plan your trip with a margin of time and documents.

The launch of the EES (Entry/Exit System) will be one of the most noticeable changes in travel to Europe in recent years. It is designed to increase border security, automate checks and simplify control of the duration of stay in the Schengen area. At the same time, certain difficulties are expected at the initial stage - from queues to technical failures, so travelers should prepare for the new rules in advance.

The new rules for crossing EU borders can raise many questions - from the nuances of registering in the EES to choosing the type of visa or preparing documents for a long-term stay.

Visit World migration specialists will help you:

- find out whether you need registration in the EES system, a visa or a residence permit;

- prepare a package of documents for a short or long-term trip;

- get advice on working, studying or reuniting your family in Europe;

- avoid mistakes that can lead to a refusal of entry.

Get individual advice from a Visit World migration expert - and be sure that your trip to Europe will be stress-free.

Reminder! The EU has increased the fee for ETIAS to 20 euros. We have already told you who must pay the fee, who is exempted, when the system will start working and how to correctly apply for a permit to travel to the Schengen zone.

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