EU border crossings will now require travelers to submit biometric information rather than traditional passport stamps.
Starting October 12, 2025, all non-EU citizens planning to enter Schengen Area countries for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) will be subject to the Entry/Exit System (EES). This high-tech border measure aims to strengthen security and streamline border controls by gradually replacing the traditional passport-based system with a more efficient digital archive.
Under the EES, travelers must provide biometric data — specifically fingerprints and a facial photo — along with their passport information upon arrival at the external EU border. This biometric registration replaces the traditional passport stamping process. The data collected are stored for three years and are used to track entries, exits, and to identify overstays or refusals of entry across the Schengen Area.
The EES applies to all non-Schengen travelers, including visa-exempt nationals like those from the UK and USA. It does not apply to EU citizens, legal residents, or those holding long-stay visas. The database links all Schengen states plus associated countries such as Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland to provide real-time border security updates.
Travelers should expect to use self-service kiosks or border officer-assisted biometric enrollment at border crossing points. This process may add a few extra minutes to border crossing times. No prior action or payment is required before travel.
The EES has been developed in accordance with privacy regulations, and the European Union has assured that data will not be transferred to third parties. Biometric data collected will be kept for 3 to 5 years. However, there are concerns about privacy protection with the mandatory collection of biometric data.
The new European regulation on artificial intelligence warns that the use of real-time facial recognition can pose a risk to people's rights. The EES regulation allows exceptions in cases of national security, such as finding suspects or identifying crime victims.
The EES is a system for collecting data upon entry and exit from the Schengen Area. It aims to speed up border controls and make it easier to identify those trying to enter with false documents or overstaying. The centralized European database will be accessible in real-time to border authorities of all Schengen countries and European law enforcement agencies. The database will record each entry and exit, including name, passport number, date, and place of entry and exit.
The Schengen Area includes 29 countries, including almost all EU member states (except Cyprus and Ireland) and countries like Switzerland and Norway. The EES will be a requirement for anyone who is not an EU citizen and wants to enter one of the Schengen Area countries.
[1] European Commission. (n.d.). Entry/Exit System (EES). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/policy-areas/entry-exit-system_en [2] European Commission. (n.d.). Entry/Exit System (EES): Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/policy-areas/entry-exit-system/faqs_en [3] European Commission. (n.d.). Entry/Exit System (EES): Implementation Timeline. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/policy-areas/entry-exit-system/implementation-timeline_en [4] European Commission. (n.d.). Entry/Exit System (EES): Data Protection. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/policy-areas/entry-exit-system/data-protection_en
- The implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) in 2025 will necessitate changes in the finance sector, as it will require travelers to provide biometric data, which may influence the way traveling businesses operate.
- As the EES database links all Schengen states and associated countries, it could greatly impact the business and finance sectors by offering real-time border security updates, potentially benefiting companies dealing with cross-border transactions and travel.
