Starting October 12, 2025, travelers to 29 European Union countries will encounter new digital border checks under EES

Starting October 12, 2025, travelers entering or leaving any of the 29 European Union countries will encounter new digital border checks under the Entry/Exit System (EES). Here's what you need to know before your next trip to Europe:

What Is the EES?
The Entry/Exit System replaces manual passport stamping with biometric registration and digital tracking for non-EU nationals, including:
- Visa holders
- Visa-exempt travelers

What Will Be Collected?
- Fingerprints and facial images
- Name and travel document details
- Dates and locations of entry/exit
- Refusals of entry, if any

How It Works
- First-time travelers after October 12 will need to register their biometric data.
- Returning travelers will be verified against stored data.
- Automated gates and self-service kiosks will be introduced to speed up processing.
- Full implementation is expected by April 2026.

Why This Change?
- Enhance border security
- Detect overstays
- Prevent identity fraud
- Improve efficiency for genuine travelers

The system is managed by eu-LISA, the EU agency for large-scale IT systems in security and justice.

What to Expect
- Longer processing times initially
- Faster lanes for biometric passport holders
- Mobile apps may assist with pre-registration and updates