Starting October 12, 2025, the European Union will begin implementing the Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital border management system that replaces manual passport stamping with biometric data collection. Full implementation is expected by April 10, 2026.
The new system applies to:
- Non-EU travelers entering Schengen Area countries for short stays.
- Includes visa-exempt travelers (e.g., U.S. citizens) and short-stay visa holders.
What travelers can expect:
- Biometric data (fingerprints and facial image) and passport details will be collected at border crossings.
- Manual passport stamps will be phased out.
- Automated kiosks and mobile apps may be available for pre-registration to reduce wait times.
- Returning travelers will benefit from faster processing using stored biometric data.
What travelers should be aware of:
- To facilitate easy border crossings, travelers are advised to have data needed for EES system available.
- Refusal to provide biometric data will result in denied entry.
- Traveler data will be stored for three years after last entry/exit, and for five years for those who overstay.
- The EES will automatically calculate stay duration and facilitate penalties for overstays, which may include: warnings or fines for short overstays without a valid reason; and for longer overstays the potential for temporary entry bans, problems with future visa applications, and flagging in EES database which is shared across Shengen countries. Travel insurance policies may automatically end when permitted stay is exceeded.
A detailed description of the system is available at https://etias.com/articles/eu-entry/exit-system-everything-travelers-need-to-prepare-for.