Twenty-nine European countries have officially begun rolling out the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new digital border control system designed to modernize and strengthen the EU’s external borders. The system electronically registers the data of non-EU nationals entering or exiting the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period).

The rollout, which started on 12 October, will be implemented progressively over six months, with each participating country deciding when and where to activate the system at specific Border Crossing Points (BCPs). Once fully deployed, traditional passport stamps will be replaced by digital records, simplifying and securing the border process.

Under the new procedure, travelers are required to provide their passport details, facial image, and fingerprints during their first entry or exit. Subsequent border crossings will involve only a quick verification, significantly reducing waiting times. Some countries are also introducing self-service kiosks to further automate and speed up the process.

According to the European Commission, the gradual introduction allows border authorities, transport operators, and travelers to adapt smoothly to the new procedures while benefiting from enhanced security and efficiency.

The EES provides national authorities with real-time data on who enters and leaves the EU, improving the detection of overstayers, document fraud, and identity theft. Officials say this marks a major step toward a safer and more technologically advanced border management system across Europe.

The European Union emphasized that the EES is built to meet the highest standards of data protection and privacy, ensuring that all personal information collected is secure.

Next Steps

The EES rollout will continue progressively over the next six months and is expected to be fully operational by 10 April 2026 across all external border crossing points.

In the coming months, the European Commission and eu-LISA (European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems) will continue working with EU Member States to ensure a smooth and coordinated deployment of the system.