The EU Entry/Exit System (EES): your essential guide

Starting in October 2025, the European Union is set to revolutionize its border control process with the official launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES). This high-tech system will mark a major shift in how travelers from non-EU countries are identified, registered, and monitored when entering or leaving the Schengen Area. Designed to replace the traditional passport stamping method, the EES will indeed automate and digitize border checks, using biometric data and advanced tracking to improve security, combat illegal overstays, and enhance the efficiency of travel across Europe.

With growing international mobility and evolving security challenges, the EU has prioritized smarter, more consistent border management. And the EES is at the heart of this modernization effort, aimed at making the travel process both safer and smoother for millions of people. So, whether you’re a frequent business traveler, planning a long-anticipated European vacation, visiting family, or simply responsible for coordinating international trips within your organization, understanding how this system works (and how it will affect you) is more important than ever.

What is the EU Entry/Exit System?

The Entry/Exit System is a new automated IT system that will register non-EU nationals every time they cross the external borders of the Schengen Area for a short stay: that is, up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The system will record key travel data, including the date and location of each entry and exit, as well as biometric details like fingerprints and a facial image.

Replacing the traditional practice of manually stamping passports, the EES offers a more secure, consistent, and efficient way to track the movements of travelers across Europe. Its main goal is to ensure that non-EU nationals follow the rules around short-term stays, to detect overstayers, and to make border control smarter and faster across participating countries.

What are the benefits of the EES?

The EU Entry/Exit System introduces a number of practical and long-term benefits for both travelers and European authorities. Here’s what it brings to the table.

• Faster border crossings: With biometric data already stored in the system, repeat travelers can often pass through border checks more quickly, especially when automated gates or self-service kiosks are available.
• Better tracking of travel durations: The system calculates your time spent in the Schengen Area automatically, helping both you and border officers stay on top of the 90-day rule.
• Stronger security: Biometric data like fingerprints and facial images will help prevent identity fraud, unauthorized entries, and the use of fake travel documents.
• Improved detection of overstays: Since each entry and exit is recorded electronically, it becomes much easier for authorities to identify travelers who have stayed beyond their allowed time.
• More efficient migration management: With accurate data on who’s coming and going, the EU can better manage migration flows and focus resources where they’re needed most.

What data does the EU Entry/Exit System collect?

Each time a non-EU national crosses the external borders of the European countries using the Entry/Exit System, a detailed digital record is created. Here's what’s included.

• Personal identification details: This refers to the standard information found in your travel documents, such as your full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number. They are the foundation of your EES file!
• Travel movement data: Every entry and exit is logged with a timestamp and location, allowing the system to calculate your total time spent in the Schengen Area. This makes it easier to comply with the 90-day rule and ensures accuracy in case of checks.
• Biometric data: On your first crossing into the EES zone, border officers will collect a facial image and fingerprints. This data is then stored securely and used to verify your identity at future border checks. Note that, if your fingerprints are already stored in the Visa Information System (VIS), they won’t be collected again.
• Refusals of entry: If you’re denied entry at a border, the system will record the event, along with the reason, whether it’s related to visa issues, overstays, or other conditions that prevent legal entry.

All of this information is processed in full compliance with EU data protection laws, and access is strictly limited to authorized personnel, such as border control, visa, and immigration authorities. The data will help the EU strengthen security, reduce fraud, and improve border efficiency without compromising travelers’ privacy!

Who does the EES apply to?

The EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU nationals traveling to the Schengen Area for a short stay, which means up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This includes travelers who need a visa and those who don’t. If you're visiting for tourism, business, family visits, or short-term study or training, the EES likely applies to you.

Here’s a breakdown of who falls under the system.

• Visa-exempt travelers: Citizens of countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many others can enter the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays. However, they will still be subject to EES checks, meaning their entries, exits, and biometric data will be recorded.
  
• Short-stay visa holders: Travelers from countries that require a Schengen short-stay visa (such as India, China, or South Africa) will also be registered in the EES. 

The system will be in effect across 25 EU countries (excluding Ireland and Cyprus) and four non-EU Schengen countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. So if you plan to visit any of these 29 countries for a short stay, and you're not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, the Entry/Exit System will apply to you!

Who is exempt from the EU Entry/Exit System?

While the EES covers the vast majority of short-term visitors from outside the EU, there are several important exemptions. If you fall into one of these categories, your data won’t be collected by the EES and your passport may still be stamped manually.

• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Nationals of EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, are completely exempt. They can enter and exit Schengen countries as usual.
• Immediate family of EU citizens: If you're a non-EU national but hold a valid residence card as the family member of an EU citizen, you're exempt from EES registration as long as you're traveling with or joining the EU family member.
• Holders of residence permits or long-stay visas: If you live legally in a Schengen country and hold a residence permit or national long-stay visa, the Entry/Exit System will not apply to your movements.
• Privileged travelers: Certain individuals benefit from diplomatic or special border privileges, including diplomats, heads of state, and cross-border workers under special agreements. They will generally be exempt from EES checks.
• Children under 12 years old: While they are subject to EES registration, they are not required to give fingerprints. However, a facial image will still be taken.
• Others with specific permits or exemptions: This includes holders of local border traffic permits, crew members of international passenger or freight trains, travelers with valid Facilitated Transit Documents, and individuals participating in certain education, research, or training programs.

If you're unsure whether you’re exempt, it's a good idea to check with your destination country's border or consular authority before you travel!

How does the Entry/Exit System work?

The EES is designed to modernize and streamline the border crossing process, making it both faster and more secure. Here’s how it works, step by step:

First-time entry into the Schengen Area

When you enter the Schengen Area for the first time after the EU Entry/Exit System is implemented (starting October 2025), the process will look a bit different than the usual passport stamping.

1. Document scanning: Upon arrival at the border, the first step is scanning your travel document. This scan will collect essential personal details, such as your full name, date of birth, and the document’s details (passport number, issuing country, etc.).
2. Biometric data collection: Next, biometric data (that is fingerprints and a facial image) will be collected. The collection of this data will help ensure accurate identification and prevent fraud, as well as reducing the risk of travelers overstaying their allowed time in the Schengen Area.
3. Data storage: All the data will be securely stored in the EES database for a period of three years. It will be used to track your entries and exits across the Schengen Area during this three-year period, replacing the manual passport stamp.

Subsequent entries within the three-year period

After your first entry, future trips to the Schengen Area will be much faster and more efficient.

1. Biometric verification: For future entries, your biometric data will be compared against the stored records in the EES database, speeding up the process and reducing waiting times at the border.
2. Self-service kiosks: In many places, self-service kiosks or automated border control gates will be available for repeat travelers. These systems allow you to verify your identity without waiting for manual checks, providing a more convenient and quicker process. However, border control officers may still be involved to verify certain cases when necessary.
3. Passport expiration: If your passport expires during the three-year period while you're traveling within the Schengen Area, you will need to provide your biometric data again when you enter the Schengen Area with your new passport. This ensures that your data remains up-to-date in the system, helping avoid any confusion or delays.

What if you refuse to provide biometric data?

While the EU Entry/Exit System aims to streamline the process, there is one key requirement: compliance with biometric data collection. That’s why, if you refuse to provide your fingerprints or facial image, you will not be allowed entry into the Schengen Area. 

The system relies indeed on this data to function effectively, ensuring accurate records and border security. So, it’s essential to cooperate with the biometric data request when entering the border. And refusal to comply means that you won’t be able to enter the Schengen Area, regardless of the purpose of your trip.

How to prepare for the EU Entry/Exit System?

With the launch of the EES, travelers will need to adapt to a new border control process. While the system is designed to improve efficiency and security, being prepared in advance will help you avoid delays and ensure a smoother experience at the border. Here are key steps to help you get ready!

• Check your passport: Make sure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen Area. Ideally, it should be biometric (also known as an e-passport), since they will make the EES process faster and more straightforward, especially when using automated systems or kiosks.
• Stay informed: Keep an eye on official EU announcements or consult your local embassy or consulate for the latest information regarding the EES rollout. Requirements and procedures may vary slightly depending on your nationality or the country you are entering from, so staying informed is essential, particularly during the early months of implementation. 
• Allow extra time at borders: During the initial rollout of the EES, border checks may take longer than usual, particularly for first-time travelers whose biometric data needs to be collected. It’s a good idea to allow extra time at the border, especially if you’re catching a connecting flight or have time-sensitive plans upon arrival!

A new era of travel to Europe

The introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System will mark a significant shift in how non-EU nationals enter and exit the Schengen Area. By replacing manual passport stamps with a modern, biometric-based process, the EES brings indeed Europe’s border control into the digital age. But this transition will come with a learning curve.

Whether you’re planning a vacation, managing business travel, or entering Europe for the first time, it’s essential to understand how the system works, what data will be collected, and how to prepare. This includes checking the validity of your passport, familiarizing yourself with the new process, and being ready for slightly longer wait times as the system rolls out across various countries.

Frequent travelers, those arriving at major airports, or anyone using a new passport should take extra care to plan ahead. The earlier you adapt, the easier your travel experience will be. And in the long run, the EES promises to make crossing Europe’s borders faster, safer, and more efficient for everyone involved!