If you’ve never heard of the EU Entry-Exit System (EES), well, it is the European Union’s new way of managing border crossings for non-EU travellers. And if the words strung together sound familiar, consider this a quick refresher—the system replaces the old passport stamping method with a digital record using your photo and fingerprints, designed to make travel across Europe’s Schengen Area faster, safer, and easier to track.
Now, the system has officially been launched on 12 October 2025 and is expected to be fully in place by April 2026.
Where and to Whom Does the EU Entry-Exit System Apply?
The EU Entry-Exit System (EES) affects millions of non-EU travellers, including Britons travelling to Spain or France for short breaks. The EES applies uniformly to all entry points into the Schengen Area, including airports, seaports, and land borders.
The phased rollout means implementation dates will vary by port, tunnel, or airport, but no mode of travel is exempt. Here’s who it covers and where it’s in use:
- Applies in 25 EU states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, but excludes Ireland and Cyprus, as they will continue to use the passport stamping method
- Includes UK, U.S., Canadian, and other non-EU visitors.
- Exempts residents or long-stay visa holders
- It covers popular destinations like France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Greece, and Portugal.
How the EU Entry-Exit System Works at the Border
Your first experience with the EU Entry-Exit System (EES) will feel a bit different from the usual passport check, but it’s nothing to worry about. Think of it as a quick digital setup to help make your future trips smoother.
When you arrive at the border, you’ll either use a self-service kiosk or work with a border officer. You’ll scan your passport, have your fingerprints and facial photo taken, and answer a few short questions about your trip. Children under 12 won’t need to provide fingerprints.
While full instructional guides and on-site staff will walk you through the process at every checkpoint, this quick overview is just to ensure you’re not caught off guard when you next travel to Europe.
Once registered, your data stays valid for three years—making the next crossing much faster.
What Travellers Should Expect Under the EU Entry-Exit System
During the first few months, border checks under the EU Entry-Exit System (EES) may take a little longer than usual. It’s a big transition, so some queues are expected while everyone adjusts to the new process.
Travellers are advised to arrive early, keep their passports handy, and follow directions from staff at the kiosks or inspection booths. If delays build up, border officers will have the discretion to temporarily pause EES processing to keep lines moving. The aim is to make things run more smoothly once travellers’ details are in the system.
As part of this transition, the system is being rolled out in phases to prevent congestion. It has already begun with coach passengers at Dover, the Eurotunnel, and even limited Eurostar trials.
The expansion to car travellers will begin on 1 November and major airports like Frankfurt, Paris, and Madrid later in the year, and full operation will begin in April 2026; across all Schengen borders.
All biometric data collected—such as fingerprints, facial images, and passport details—is stored securely for three years under strict EU privacy laws.
Access is restricted to authorised border, visa, and law enforcement agencies, including Europol, and may only be shared internationally under clear legal safeguards.
Travellers who refuse to provide data will be denied entry, but for most, the process ensures faster and more secure crossings in the long run. Such strict border policies make you wonder if there will ever be another traveller like Ajala.
FAQs
1. What happens if I am a dual citizen of an EU country and a non-EU country?
If you are an EU citizen, even with dual nationality, you should use your EU passport to enter the Schengen Area. This exempts you from the EES, as it only applies to non-EU nationals.
2. Will the EES data be used to track and penalise me if I overstay the 90-day limit?
Yes, a primary purpose of the EES is to automatically calculate your stay and precisely identify overstayers. If you exceed the 90-day limit within any 180-day period, this digital record could lead to fines, entry bans, or future travel complications.
3. How will the system handle individuals with physical conditions that prevent fingerprinting?
The EU regulations provide exemptions for individuals for whom fingerprinting is physically impossible. In such cases, border authorities are expected to rely on other verification methods, though the process may require more time and manual intervention.
4. Are there any similar biometric entry systems currently in operation within Africa?
Yes, several African nations and regions are implementing similar systems. For example, Kenya’s eTA uses digital authorisation, and the ECOWAS region is developing an ETLS, though integration levels vary significantly across the continent.
5. Could the EES create additional visa hurdles for African travellers to Europe?
The EES itself doesn’t change visa requirements. However, its data on travel history could make overstays easier to detect, potentially affecting future visa applications for travellers from African countries under strict Schengen visa rules.
