The European Union is preparing to launch EES in 2025, an automated IT system, a move that will replace traditional passport stamping with a digital registration process. This significant update will alter border procedures for non-EU nationals, including British travellers, entering the Schengen Area.
What is the EU's Entry/Exit System?
The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) is designed to register the entry and exit of non-EU nationals at the external borders of the Schengen Area. This new electronic process will replace the long-standing practice of manually stamping passports for both short-term visa holders and visa-exempt travellers.
The primary goal of the system is to enhance security and modernise the EU's border management infrastructure. As part of the EU's "smart borders" initiative, the EES will digitally track when travellers enter and leave, automatically identifying individuals who have overstayed their permitted 90-day stay. Upon arrival, the system will record a traveller's name, their travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and/or a facial image), and the date and location of their entry or exit.
EES start date: rollout in 2025
The European Union has confirmed that its new Entry/Exit System will begin a phased implementation starting on 12th October 2025.
The system will not be activated simultaneously across all participating countries. Instead, the 29 European nations using the EES will introduce it progressively at their external borders following the October start date. The aim is for the system to be fully operational across these countries by April 2026.
How the EU Entry/Exit System will affect UK and non-EU travellers
The EU Entry/Exit System is targeted at non-EU citizens, officially referred to as third-country nationals, who are travelling to the Schengen Area for a short stay. This includes both travellers who require a visa and those who are visa-exempt, such as citizens from the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Following Brexit, British nationals are now subject to the same rules as other non-EU visitors for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
However, the EES does not apply to everyone. Non-EU citizens who hold a residence permit or a long-stay visa for one of the EU member states using the system will be exempt from the EES registration process.
New border process: EU fingerprint checks and facial scans
The most significant change for travellers will be the introduction of biometric data collection at the border. Upon their first entry into the Schengen Area after the EES is active, travellers will need to register their biometric information. This involves providing a facial image and having four of their fingerprints scanned. This data will be stored for three years.
For subsequent trips, the border crossing procedure is expected to be faster. Travellers will be able to use automated e-gates where they scan their passport and either their face or fingerprints to verify their identity.
EES vs ETIAS: key differences
While often discussed together, the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) serve distinct purposes. They are two separate but interconnected systems designed to enhance the security of the Schengen Area.
The EES is primarily a border management tool. In contrast, ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation system, similar to the ESTA used by the United States. It is a security check conducted before a traveller begins their journey. It determines a visitor's eligibility to enter the Schengen Area and is not a visa, but a mandatory travel authorisation for citizens of visa-exempt countries. In essence, ETIAS grants permission to travel, while the EES records the journey itself.
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