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From October 12, 2025, travelling to Europe will no longer be quite the same experience. The European Union has launched a groundbreaking digital border control system for the external borders of the Schengen Area. This new system, called EES (Entry/Exit System), will gradually replace manual passport stamps for travellers arriving from third countries.
Presented as a step towards modernization and security, the EES also raises questions: queues, privacy, legal complexities. This article will break down the upcoming changes, the travellers affected, the exceptions, and the precautions to take to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
The EES system: a digital revolution at the frontiers
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated system that will record, at each crossing, the entry and exit data of third-country nationals (outside the EU and Schengen) travelling to the Schengen area for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period).
In practical terms, this involves a digital replacement of the passport stamp. Each traveller will have an electronic record created containing their name, nationality, type of travel document, date and place of entry or exit, as well as biometric data (fingerprints and facial photograph).
The system aims to achieve several objectives:
- to facilitate border crossings through automation,
- to detect overstays more effectively
- strengthen security within the Schengen Area,
- and to harmonize practices between Member States.
Commissioning begins on October 12, 2025, with a gradual transition period until full commissioning in April 2026.
What changes for travellers
Collection of biometric data
Upon first entry into a Schengen country after October 12, 2025, non-European travellers will be required to register their fingerprints and a facial photograph. This will be done at automated kiosks in airports, ports, or land border crossings.
Once this data is recorded, it will remain valid for three years. On subsequent visits, the traveller will only need to present their passport and pass through a facial or fingerprint recognition kiosk.
Children under 12 will be exempt from fingerprinting, but a photo may be requested.
Gradual disappearance of tampons
One of the symbols of travel is disappearing: entry and exit stamps in passports. During the transition phase (October 2025 – April 2026), some countries will continue to use them, but they will be gradually replaced by digital travel tracking via EES.
Automatic calculation of the 90-day stay
The system will automatically check the so-called “90 days out of 180” rule : a traveller will not be able to stay more than 90 cumulative days in the Schengen area in any 180-day period.
Until now, this tracking relied on manual stamping and the traveller’s own calculations. From now on, it will be automated — and any anomaly will trigger an alert during the next check.
Gradual rollout depending on the country
Not all Schengen Area countries will be ready from day one. Some, like Croatia, have already announced they will be among the first to deploy biometric terminals in their main airports starting October 12. Others, like France and Spain, will implement them gradually by 2026.
Who is affected — and who is not?
Travellers subject to the EES:
The new system concerns:
- all third-country nationals coming for a short stay, whether or not they are subject to a Schengen visa ;
- British travellers , now considered third country since Brexit;
- Americans, Canadians, Australians, Japanese, and other travellers who are exempt from visa requirements but do not have European status.
Travellers who are exempt:
Certain categories will not be affected:
- citizens of the European Union and the Schengen Area,
- legal residents with a long-term residence permit,
- children under 12 years old (for fingerprints),
- Travellers in transit in international airport areas,
- and certain crew members or diplomats, according to the agreements in force.
For holders of long-stay visas, registration via EES is not required, as their information is already in European databases.
What are the consequences of this change?
Temporary delays at the borders
Experts predict longer wait times in the first few weeks, especially for travellers who will have to provide their biometric data. Tests conducted at several European airports have already shown that the process can take up to four minutes per passenger on the first pass.
Member States have been asked to anticipate this by installing more terminals and increasing reception staff.
Strengthening of residence permit checks
Thanks to data centralization, authorities will have a precise tool to identify overstays. Travellers who exceed the 90-day limit may be refused entry or face penalties.
This also means the end of “grey areas”: small overruns of a few days, previously tolerated or undetected, will now be automatically identified.
Privacy and data protection issues
Large-scale storage of biometric data raises privacy concerns . This information will be kept for three years and protected by the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
Each traveller will have the right to access their data, to request its correction or deletion, under certain conditions.
And after the EES: the future ETIAS system
The launch of the EES also prepares the ground for another European system: ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), a prior travel authorization comparable to the American ESTA.
Scheduled for the end of 2026, ETIAS will become mandatory for visa-exempt travellers wishing to enter the Schengen Area. The EES system will then serve as the reference database for checking the background of these travellers before their arrival.
💡 Practical tips for travelling after October 12
If you are planning a trip to Europe after this date, here are some useful recommendations:
- Allow extra time at the border, especially on your first entry after the EES launch.
- Check the validity of your passport, especially if it is biometric (often required for automated kiosks).
- Be prepared to provide your fingerprints and photo.
- Keep your dates of stay up to date : overstays are prohibited beyond 90 days out of 180.
- Find out about exemptions : if you have a long-stay visa or a resident permit, the rules differ.
- Check official websites before you leave to find out the procedures for your country of entry (some border crossings will not yet be equipped at launch).
There you have it, we hope that this clarification on the new rules for entering the Schengen area has helped you in your preparations for a future trip.