Traveling to Europe is about to get a little more complicated. After years of preparation and several delays, the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is officially going live on October 12, 2025.
The system, designed to modernize how travelers cross into and out of the Schengen area, will replace the traditional passport stamping process with a biometric data-based system. While the rules on who can enter or how long they can stay haven’t changed, the new technology will make border crossings more secure – and potentially, a bit slower at first.
Here’s everything travelers need to know before flying into the EU this fall.
What is the EES?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new automated border management program that will record biometric data – including fingerprints and facial recognition – for non-EU citizens entering the Schengen zone.
The system covers 27 EU countries (excluding Cyprus and Ireland), as well as Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. It works similarly to how the United States already fingerprints and photographs incoming visitors.
The primary goals of the EES are to:
- Strengthen border security and reduce illegal migration.
- Ensure visitors don’t overstay the 90-day limit within any 180-day period.
- Streamline entry and exit tracking across the Schengen area.
How does it work?
The process is fairly straightforward but will take longer the first time you go through it. When travelers enter the EU, their fingerprints, facial image, and passport details will be recorded and stored in a secure database.
For returning visitors, the system will simply match your new biometric scan with the data already on file, allowing for faster entry. Most border points have already installed self-service kiosks to make registration smoother.
If you have a biometric passport and your entry point has E-gates, you can use those for quicker access once you’re registered.
Where will it be used first?
The rollout of the EES will be gradual to prevent overcrowding at borders. Each member state can decide when and where to implement the system, as long as they meet specific targets:
- Within 30 days: 10% of travelers registered.
- Within 90 days: 35% of travelers registered.
- Within 150 days: 50% registered.
- Within 180 days (by April 9, 2025): all travelers registered.
At least one border crossing point in each EU country must be operational by October 12. The European Commission recommends implementing the system across air, land, and sea borders.
What data will be collected?
When you enter the EU, the EES will record:
- Fingerprints and facial photograph
- Passport details (name, date of birth, passport number)
- Date and location of entry and exit
- Visa status (if applicable)
- Refusals of entry, if any
Travelers may also be asked where they’re staying and to prove they have enough funds for their trip.
Will there be travel delays?
Most likely – at least initially. EU officials acknowledge that delays are expected as travelers get used to the system. The good news is that self-service kiosks and E-gates are being introduced to speed up the process.
Border control agents will be available to assist travelers, but those visiting during the first few months should arrive earlier at airports and crossings to avoid missing flights or connections.
Will passport stamps disappear?
Not immediately. Even if you go through EES, your passport will still be stamped while the system is being phased in over the next six months. This helps track travelers at borders that haven’t fully adopted the technology yet.
Once the EES is fully implemented – expected by April 2026 – passport stamping will end completely.
What if I’m refused entry?
Any refusal of entry will be recorded in the EES and visible to border agents at future crossings.
Do I have to register every time I travel?
No. Your biometric information will be stored for three years. If you travel again within that period, your profile will automatically renew.
If you don’t visit the EU within three years, your data will be deleted, and you’ll need to re-register on your next trip.
What happens if I get a new passport?
You won’t need to go through the entire registration process again. Your existing biometric profile will simply be updated with your new passport number, according to the EU.
Who is exempt from EES?
The system applies only to non-EU citizens (also called third-country nationals). Exemptions include:
- EU citizens (their biometric data is already held).
- Legal residents of the EU, regardless of nationality.
- Children under 12, who don’t need to provide fingerprints but must still have their photo and data recorded.
Do British citizens need to register?
Yes. Since Brexit, British citizens are now considered third-country nationals and must go through the EES process.
The only exception is for UK nationals legally residing in an EU member state or covered under the Withdrawal Agreement.
How to calculate your 90-day stay limit
Non-EU travelers can only spend 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen zone. The EU provides an official online calculator to help travelers plan their stays accurately.
Overstaying your limit can lead to fines, deportation, or even a ban from reentering the Schengen area.
When will ETIAS start?
The ETIAS visa waiver system, similar to the U.S. ESTA, is set to launch by the end of next year, according to EU officials. The rollout has been postponed multiple times but will begin following a six-month public information campaign.
Once active, travelers will need to apply online before visiting the EU, adding another layer of pre-travel screening.
The new EU Entry/Exit System marks a major shift in how Europe manages its borders. While it aims to make travel safer and more efficient in the long term, travelers should prepare for longer queues and more paperwork in the short term.
By April 2026, Europe’s borders will fully transition to a biometric-based entry system, ending the era of passport stamps and ushering in a new digital age of travel.
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