EU’s Entry/Exit System starts October 12 - What it means for travellers

The European Union has confirmed that its digital border control mechanism, the Entry/Exit System (EES), will officially begin operations from 12 October 2025. The system, which has been in development for years, will record biometric and travel data of non-EU nationals entering and leaving the Schengen Area.

The change is significant for Indian passport holders and other third-country nationals travelling to the EU on short-stay visas or under visa-waiver schemes. The EES rollout will take place over six months across all air, land, and sea border points.

Launch timeline


According to the official EU website, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin rolling out on October 12, 2025. The full system is expected to be operational across all borders by April 10, 2026.

Phased implementation

Starting October, only a limited number of travellers at select border crossings will go through EES registration. This rollout will gradually expand in stages.

Biometric data collection

Requirements to submit biometric data, like fingerprints and facial images, will also be introduced in phases. This means more travellers will need to provide these details as the system moves toward full adoption by April 2026.

What is the EES?

The Entry/Exit System is an automated border control system that will replace the manual passport stamping process currently used to track short-term visitors. It will store:

• Personal details from the travel document
• Fingerprints and a facial scan
• Entry and exit dates
• Records of any refusals of entry

The data will be stored for three years and is aimed at improving border management and detecting overstays in the Schengen Zone.

Who will be affected?

The EES applies to non-EU nationals, who are visiting any of the 29 Schengen countries for short stays, typically up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This includes:

• Tourists
• Business travellers
• Short-term students and visitors

Travellers with long-stay visas or residence permits in EU countries are not required to register with EES.

What travellers should expect?

The EU says the EES will help strengthen border security, streamline border checks, and provide more accurate records of travel across the bloc. It is also part of the wider digitisation of Europe’s migration and border infrastructure.

Officials say the system will improve detection of overstayers, identify persons using false identities, and enhance security cooperation between Schengen states. According to Euro News, border officials have advised travellers to arrive at airports earlier than usual and to stay updated on local procedures at their destination, and must be prepared for:

• Longer wait times at airports and border points during the initial implementation phase
• Biometric registration at self-service kiosks during the first visit
• Data stored securely in the EES system for future visits
• No additional visa required, but all visa rules must be followed strictly

What comes next?

Following the EES rollout, the EU is expected to implement the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in 2026. ETIAS will require citizens from visa-exempt countries to apply for travel authorisation before visiting the EU. Indian nationals with a Schengen visa will not be affected by ETIAS but will still fall under the EES framework.