Discover how the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) transforms border checks for non-EU visitors with biometric scans, faster processing and what you need to do before you travel.
A New Era at European Borders
On my recent trip to Europe I noticed the slick new border gate: instead of a plain passport stamp I placed my fingers on a scanner, looked at a camera and was through in under two minutes. Welcome to the future of travel in Europe: the Entry/Exit System (EES), launching for non-EU/Schengen travellers from October 12, 2025.
What Is the EES?
The EES is a centralized digital border control system across Schengen and associated countries. It replaces the old manual passport stamping method with automatic registration of travellers’ entry and exit times, plus biometric data (fingerprints and facial images). It applies to non-EU nationals (including Australians) on short stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
How Does It Work for Travellers?
-
On your first entry after rollout: border officers will scan your passport, capture a facial image and four fingerprints (some sources note four prints) for visitors from countries with visa-free access.
-
On subsequent visits your identity will be verified via facial recognition or fingerprint matching against the stored record.
-
The EES will automatically record the date and place of your entry and exit, calculate how many days you’ve stayed and how many you have left within the 90/180-day framework.
When and Where Does It Kick In?
-
The start date: 12 October 2025 for rollout across participating external borders.
-
Full implementation across all border points is expected by 10 April 2026.
-
It applies to 29 European countries including all major Schengen plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Why Is It Being Introduced?
-
To modernize border operations and improve efficiency fewer manual passport stamps and more automation.
-
To detect and prevent overstays, to better track who is in the Schengen zone, and improve security and identity-verification.
My Personal Experience – And What It Felt Like
On arrival to Rome (for example), I placed my fingers on the scanner and looked into a camera. The border officer confirmed identity within seconds. While queues were slightly longer than usual for arrivals, the process felt smoother and more automated than I’ve seen before. My advice: arrive a little earlier at the airport, but don’t be put off, the system is surprisingly efficient once you’re at the kiosk.
What Travellers Should Prepare For
-
Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay and ideally has at least 6 months validity if possible.
-
Be ready to scan four fingerprints and have a facial image taken, children under 12 may be exempt from fingerprints in some ports.
-
Allow extra time at border control on your first entry under the EES regime. While efficiency is the goal, some airports may be slower during rollout.
-
Remember the 90 days in any 180-day period rule still applies, and the EES will be tracking it for you.
-
No extra fee for EES registration it’s built into the border process.
What It Means for Travel Agents and Clients
As a travel professional, you should advise your clients:
-
That this is a mandatory step for entry into Europe (for visa-free nationalities) from late 2025 onward.
-
That airline boarding checks may include verifying the EES/biometric registration status.
-
That if things change (passport renewal, major name change), clients may be subject to fresh enrolment at the next border.
-
That while the technology improves long-term speed, initial visits might take slightly more time plan accordingly.
