The European Union has formally confirmed the launch of its long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital border control platform that will replace manual passport stamping for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area. The system is set for progressive rollout beginning in October 2025 and will apply to 29 participating European countries.
Approved last week by the European Parliament in a vote of 572 to 42 (with 67 abstentions), the EES introduces biometric registration and automated entry logs at external EU borders. It forms part of the EU’s broader digital transformation of border management, with a stated aim of improving security, detecting overstays, and streamlining border procedures.
Biometric Registration Replaces Passport Stamps
Under the new system, third-country nationals entering the Schengen Area for short stays—up to 90 days in any 180-day period—will no longer receive passport stamps. Instead, their entry and exit will be recorded digitally, along with biometric identifiers including facial images and fingerprints.
The Entry/Exit System will be deployed at airports, seaports and land border crossings equipped with self-service kiosks and automated gates. These will enable border officials to collect and store biometric data in a centralised EU database managed by eu-LISA, the agency responsible for large-scale IT systems in justice and home affairs.
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All travellers subject to the system must undergo biometric registration on their first crossing after the rollout begins. Subsequent entries will reference the existing data. Travellers will be informed of how their personal data is used and stored and must provide biometric data as a condition of entry.
Phased Rollout to Prevent Disruption
To avoid disruption at border checkpoints, the rollout will be staggered across member states. According to the approved deployment plan, 10 per cent of border crossings should be using the EES within the first 30 days of launch. This will increase to 35 per cent by day 90 and reach full coverage by day 170. EU countries have discretion over when they begin implementation, provided they meet the staged benchmarks.
Authorities have acknowledged the possibility of longer wait times during initial deployment, particularly for first-time travellers who must complete biometric registration. Some countries have retained the right to temporarily suspend deployment at specific border points if queues become unmanageable or if technical issues arise.
Travel to Europe App and Pre-Registration Options
To mitigate congestion, a mobile application known as “Travel to Europe” has been developed by technology firms iProov and Inverid. The app is intended to allow voluntary pre-registration of biometric data before departure, thereby speeding up processing at border control. The system will be piloted at Sweden’s Arlanda Airport and may be expanded to other locations if successful.
While not mandatory, such tools are expected to play a growing role in facilitating border procedures, particularly at high-traffic entry points such as Frankfurt, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Madrid-Barajas.
Impact on Non-EU Nationals
The EES applies to all non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area, including those from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and many other visa-exempt countries. The system does not apply to EU citizens, long-term residents, or those holding EU residence permits.
Travellers refusing to submit biometric data will be denied entry. Those who exceed the permitted duration of stay will be automatically flagged by the system, allowing authorities to take enforcement action, including future entry bans.
ETIAS Still to Follow
The EES is being introduced ahead of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is now expected to come into effect in early 2026. ETIAS will require nationals of visa-exempt countries to obtain a travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area.
Unlike the EES, ETIAS involves pre-departure screening and must be applied for online. Applicants will be required to provide biographical data, employment information, and details of any previous travel to conflict zones or criminal history. No biometric data will be collected under ETIAS. Once approved, the travel authorisation will be valid for multiple short stays over a three-year period.
Cybersecurity Oversight and Data Protection
As the EES prepares for full deployment, cybersecurity concerns have been raised in connection with the Schengen Information System II, which will interface with the new biometric platform. Sopra Steria, the contractor responsible for maintaining the system, has faced questions over data protection measures.
EU officials have stressed that the EES will operate in full compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Travellers will be given clear information on their data rights, and all biometric records will be stored securely under regulated access controls.
Participating Countries
The EES will be rolled out across 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.
Cyprus, while intending to implement ETIAS, will not adopt the EES at this stage. Ireland, which is not part of the Schengen Area, remains unaffected.
The confirmation of the Entry/Exit System marks a significant shift in how Europe manages its external borders. By introducing biometric controls and digital tracking, the EU aims to modernise its border infrastructure while strengthening security. Although the long-term goal is greater efficiency, travellers should expect temporary delays during the system’s initial rollout. All non-EU visitors are advised to monitor official updates and allow extra time for border clearance from October 2025 onwards.
