– Everything You Need to Know About the New Entry/Exit System
France, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and an expanding list of European Union member states will implement the Entry/Exit System (EES) for third-country nationals on October 12, 2025.
The programme will supplant the conventional passport stamping procedure by collecting biometric data, specifically capturing two fingerprints and a facial image for each arrival and departure.
The overarching intent is to heighten security, curtail unauthorized overstay of visas, and modernise border management across the Schengen zone. Coordinated implementation is framed within the EU’s strategy to accelerate and refine the border crossing experience, thereby delivering a more expedient yet reliable verification process.
Despite the future advantages anticipated for frequent and occasional visitors, it is prudent to expect isolated delays as the technology is phased in; border authorities advise travellers to remain alert to the change when planning. The following summary elaborates on procedural and preparatory dimensions.
Starting 12 October 2025, a major shift will take place at European borders, impacting how non-EU nationals, including travelers from around the world, cross into the Schengen Area and other EU countries.
A long-anticipated change, the Entry/Exit System (EES), is being introduced to modernize and streamline border control procedures across the European Union.
This transformative system will replace the traditional manual passport stamping process and introduce biometric data collection for all non-EU nationals entering and exiting Europe. Here’s everything you need to know about the new system and how it will impact your travel experience.
What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new, digital border management system that aims to enhance border security, reduce illegal overstays, and facilitate smoother movement of non-EU nationals.
The system collects and stores biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images, from travelers crossing into or out of the European Union. This data will be stored for up to three years and will replace the need for manual passport stamps, making border control more efficient and secure.
The system is part of the EU’s broader efforts to modernize border security and address growing concerns about identity fraud, overstays, and illegal immigration. It will also help authorities track the movements of non-EU nationals more accurately, providing a digital record of entries and exits.
How Will the EES Impact Non-EU Nationals?
For non-EU nationals, the implementation of the EES will significantly alter the border-crossing experience. Starting in October 2025, all non-EU nationals, including tourists, business travelers, and those in transit, will need to submit biometric data when entering or exiting EU and Schengen Area countries.
The biometric data will include fingerprints and facial photographs, which will be collected at dedicated booths or self-service kiosks at borders.
Changes at Border Crossings
Travelers will no longer need to go through the manual passport stamping process, which has been a staple of border control for decades. Instead, biometric data will be collected electronically, allowing for quicker processing times.
On arrival, non-EU nationals will provide their biometric data, which will then be stored in the system. When exiting, the system will automatically verify the traveler’s identity and departure time, helping to eliminate the risk of overstays or missed departures.
The data collected will be used to verify the identity of travelers during their stay and ensure that they comply with the Schengen Area rule of staying a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. By recording entry and exit times more accurately, the EES will reduce the number of overstays, helping authorities better manage non-EU nationals’ movements.
Impact on Travelers: Faster Processing or Delays?
One of the most significant questions surrounding the introduction of the EES is whether it will speed up or slow down border control procedures for non-EU nationals. While the system aims to streamline the process, the reality is that travelers may experience longer wait times in the initial stages.
The rollout of the EES will require biometric data collection at every border point, and while the system is designed to be automated, new technologies often come with initial teething problems.
Over time, the system is expected to reduce waiting times for border checks, especially with the introduction of self-service kiosks and automated gates for travelers with biometric passports.
However, travelers should expect longer processing times during the early stages of implementation, particularly when entering the EU for the first time under the new system. It’s advisable to arrive earlier than usual to account for these potential delays, particularly when traveling during busy periods like holidays.
What About Children and Special Cases?
While most non-EU nationals will be required to provide fingerprints and facial photographs, there are exceptions. Children under 12 years of age will not be required to submit fingerprints, but will still need to provide facial photographs. This exception is in line with international standards for biometric data collection and is intended to reduce the burden on young travelers.
Moreover, travelers who may have specific needs, such as those with disabilities, can expect additional accommodations, though the details of such provisions will likely be outlined closer to the system’s official rollout date.
Practical Tips for Travelers
If you’re planning to travel to Europe after October 2025, there are several steps you can take to ensure a smooth border-crossing experience:
Ensure You Have a Biometric Passport: While biometric passports aren’t a requirement for all travelers, they will be beneficial. If you have a biometric passport, you may be able to use automated gates, which will expedite the process.
Expect Longer Wait Times Initially: While the system is designed to streamline border control, expect some delays when the EES is first implemented. Border authorities anticipate longer processing times in the early months, especially as travelers get accustomed to the new process.
Arrive Early: With the introduction of biometric data collection, it’s advisable to arrive earlier than usual, particularly on your first visit to Europe after the system’s rollout. This will give you enough time to complete the new checks and avoid missing your flight.
Be Prepared for Biometric Data Collection: Travelers will need to have their fingerprints and facial photographs taken at border control points. Make sure you’re familiar with the process and prepared for the additional steps.
Keep All Necessary Documents Handy: You should continue to carry essential documents, such as your passport, boarding pass, and any visa documentation. Though the system will track your entry and exit, you may still be required to provide proof of your travel details if necessary.
What’s Next for the EU: ETIAS and Other Systems
In addition to the EES, the EU is also introducing the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which will apply to visa-exempt travelers.
This system will require travelers to apply for online authorization before entering the EU. While the EES deals with entry and exit tracking, ETIAS will ensure that travelers have met certain security and health requirements before arriving. It is expected that ETIAS will be implemented shortly after the EES, although specific dates are still pending.
Conclusion: A New Era in European Border Control
The Entry/Exit System (EES) represents a significant shift in how non-EU nationals will interact with European border controls. For travelers, the system offers the promise of more efficient, streamlined entry and exit procedures. However, there will likely be a period of adjustment as the system is phased in and travelers adapt to the new requirements.
On October 12, 2025, a consortium of EU member states—comprising France, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and others—will implement the Entry/Exit System (EES), thereby superseding the withholding of manual stamp impressions in passports in favor of the collection of biometric data. The reform is designed to bolster border security, diminish the incidence of unauthorized prolonged stays, and expedite the entry and exit sequence for third-country nationals.
Though a temporary increase in processing times is anticipated, the enduring advantages are substantial: fortified security, superior aggregated management of arrival and departure records, and a transition to a digitally enabled border control paradigm.
By familiarising yourself with the EES prior to travel and by ascertaining the particulars of how the system might influence your itinerary, you are positioned to guarantee that your subsequent journeys to Europe occur with minimal disruption and maximal efficiency.
