European Union: EU Entry/Exit System Implementation Forthcoming

The situation

The Entry/Exit System (EES) – an automated border check system for short-stay travelers in the Schengen Area that will replace manual passport stamping – will be progressively introduced from October 12, 2025, with full implementation by April 10, 2026. 

A closer look

• Scope. The EES specifically applies to all non-EU nationals and non-European Free Trade Association nationals (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) entering the Schengen Area for a short stay (90 days within any 180-day period), whether or not they require a visa. Among other exceptions, it will not apply to holders of a long-stay visa, residence permit or family residence card.
• Data collected. The EES digitally registers:
  • Personal data from the travel document, such as full name, date of birth, and nationality;
  • Date and place of each entry to and exit from the 29 European countries using the EES;
  • Biometric data such as facial image and/or fingerprints; and
  • Information on refused entry, if applicable.
• EES-implementing countries. The EES will operate in the 29 countries of the Schengen Area, which are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
  
  Note that Cyprus and Ireland (both EU Member States) are not part of the Schengen Area and are not implementing the EES.
• Progressive rollout. The EES will be deployed gradually. From October 12, 2025, countries must start using the EES at least at one border crossing point (including collection of biometric data, such as facial image and fingerprints). This will increase gradually before eventually reaching all border crossings in the Schengen Area by April 10, 2026. Countries are currently implementing the system at the practical level (infrastructure, information technology systems). By the end of the first 30 days of operation, at least 10% of border crossings should be registered in the EES, with this share gradually increasing in the following months. 

• National implementation.
  • Implementation process. Countries must implement the EES domestically, both by passing national legislation and implementing the technological and administrative apparatus necessary for the system's daily functioning. Full implementation must be achieved by April 10, 2026.
  • Facilitation programs. EES-implementing countries may, though they are not required to, put in place National Facilitation Programs to ease border crossings for non-EU nationals who frequently travel to Europe. Such programs would facilitate border crossings by providing passport control officers with information about a non-EU national’s prior stay in the European countries using the EES, and/or refusals of entry.

Impact

By automating certain procedures, this system is expected to streamline the arrival and departure process for many travelers. However, travelers should be aware of potential delays in the initial implementation period. Concerned travelers may consider reviewing the EU’s official EES page and eu-LISA (the EU agency responsible for the operational management of large-scale EU-wide technology systems) updates for overall roll-out timing, or verifying with their carrier (airline or other) and entry/exit border point the status of implementation of the EES and how their travel may be impacted.

Separately, the EES will allow authorities to better track the movements of non-EU/EFTA short-term travelers, including detecting overstays and other non-compliant behavior.

Background

The EES is part of a broader suite of digitalization efforts in Europe, and will work in tandem with other European information systems, including the Schengen Information System, the Visa Information System and European Asylum Dactyloscopy Database (EURODAC). Another system, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), once operational, is expected to complement these as part of this broader digital ecosystem.

Looking ahead

• Schengen C Visa digitalization. The digitalization of the Schengen C visa application process has made significant headway, with both the European Council and Parliament approving rules on the development of the system (which will largely replace paper-based application processes with digital equivalents). The online platform is expected to be operational by 2028.
• ETIAS implementation. Alongside the EES (and after its implementation), the European Union will also implement ETIAS – a pre-travel authorization system for visa-exempt, non-EU/EFTA nationals entering the Schengen Area (and Cyprus) for short stays. It is not a visa, but a pre-travel clearance similar to the U.S. ESTA or the UK ETA. EU authorities currently state that it will start operation in the last quarter of 2026, and that its launch will occur “a few months” after EES is introduced.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].