The launch of the Enter and Exit System (EES) is scheduled for Sunday, 12 October.
The European Commission first presented the EES system proposal on 6 April 2016 as part of the revised Smart Borders Package. The European Commission notes on their website the EES Regulation, together with a targeted amendment of the Schengen Border Code, was adopted on 20 November 2017 and entered into force on 29 December 2017.
In the meantime, the launch of this system has experienced multiple delays: in the first half of 2022, again in May 2023, November 2023 and then again in October 2024. The launch date is now planned for 12 October. A slow roll out of the system is planned over the next six-months and should be in full affect as of 10 April 2026.
What is the EES?
The European Entry/Exit System is designed to modernize how the EU monitors short term-stay travellers coming into its Schengen Area and removed the need for manually stamping of passports.
What’s New This October?
Here are the key changes you need to know:
- Biometric Data Collection: Travelers, who are non-EU nationals or hold a passport from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, will be required to provide biometric data when entering and exiting the Schengen Area for a short-term stay – defined as under 90 days with a 180-day period. The EES will not be used in Ireland or Cyprus, where manual checks will continue to take place.
This includes collection of 4 of your fingerprints and facial images that will be stored in a secure database for up to five years. Under the current system, fingerprints will only be scanned for those 12 years of age or older.
Personal data will be collected from your passport directly and include: first name(s) and surname; date, place, and country of birth; nationality or nationalities; gender; type and number of travel document (passport or visa); issuing country and expiry date of the document; entry and exit dates, times, and border crossing point; and visa information (if applicable: number, type, and validity).
The actual entry record should include the following details: whether it’s an entry, exit, refusal of entry, or deletion/update event; the name or code of the border crossing point; the officer or system ID performing the operation; and the date/time of data creation or modification.
The standard retention period will likely be 3 years but can extend to up to 5 years for those who overstay the 90-day period or in cases where the status of an exit is unclear. If you have a short-term visa, your finger prints may have been scanned during your visa application process and only your facial image will be stored. The idea is to make the border process quicker and more secure.
- Longer Stays Transparency: Along with tracking entries and exits, the EES will help enforce the length of stay regulations by accurately recording when visitors enter and leave. This means that overstaying a visa will be more easily flagged, aiming to comply with travel rules implemented by the EU.
- Faster Processing Times: The EES is designed to reduce wait times at borders. Automated gates may one day replace long entry lines by utilizing EES data.
Travellers may be able to further shorten wait times if they hold a biometric passport or they register some of their data in advance, allowing them to use the self-service system and kiosks. This won’t be available everywhere. Once the system is in place, frequent travellers may already be in the system and only need to scan their fingers and to have their photo verified.
For anyone refusing to provide this data, entry into the EU will be denied.
Who is not affected by the EES?
This system will not impact:
- EU nationals
- Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national
- Long Term Visa holders
- Resident Permit holders
- Intra-corporate transfers
- Those traveling for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, exchange or educational projects and au-pairing
There are also other categories which will not be affected such as heads of state, boarder control and airline employees.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) The EU visa waiver
Now, let’s talk about the new waiver being introduced alongside the EES changes. The ETIAS is set to launch in late-2026 and is in many ways is similar to the American ESTA visa waiver program.
Travelers from eligible countries can apply online or in an app without needing to visit a consulate or embassy. Most travellers from visa-exempt countries are eligible for the waiver. However, it will be essential to check specific eligibility criteria as they can vary.
The waiver will be offered for those aged 18 to 70. We are awaiting confirmation of the fee-many estimate 20€. The application should be approved within minutes but an application review can take up to 30 days. Once issued, the waiver is typically valid for multiple entries over a period of about three years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). This means you won’t have to keep reapplying for every trip.
If you’re traveling this year, be prepared for biometric scanning at the border. It’ll be a new part of the entry procedure, so follow signs and instructions at customs. This may also mean longer lines in certain locations.