A new era begins for travelers entering Europe. From October 12, the European Union will gradually replace the familiar passport stamp with a fully digital border registration system.
Known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), the platform will record the arrivals and departures of non-EU citizens through biometric data and digital registration — a change aimed at improving security and reducing illegal stays within the Schengen area.
What changes for travelers
For EU citizens, nothing changes: they will continue to travel freely across internal and external EU borders.
Non-EU travelers, however, will now need to register electronically at designated border control points. The system captures fingerprints, facial images, and passport data, along with precise timestamps of entry and exit.
Certain categories — such as non-EU residents married to EU citizens or those holding valid residence cards — are exempt from full registration.
To ease congestion, travelers can submit part of their information in advance via mobile app or self-service kiosks at airports. This pre-registration process aims to shorten queues during peak hours.
Rollout across Europe
The EES will be rolled out in phases over the next six months across all 29 Schengen countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Germany will start with Düsseldorf Airport, followed by Frankfurt and Munich, according to the Interior Ministry. Eventually, all major airports, seaports, and even some rail terminals — such as
Eurostar routes between London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam — will be connected to the system.
By April 10, 2026, all external EU borders are expected to operate fully under the EES framework — marking the end of traditional passport stamps.
Why the EU is introducing the EES
According to the European Commission, the new system aims to strengthen border security, modernize data management, and combat identity theft and overstaying.
The storage of biometric data allows authorities to verify identities more reliably and identify individuals who exceed their permitted stay within the EU.
EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner described the project as “the digital backbone of the new European migration and asylum policy,” emphasizing that the EES is part of a broader effort to modernize Europe’s border management.
What comes next: ETIAS in 2026
The EES is only the first step. In the final quarter of 2026, the EU will launch a second system — the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
Citizens of over 50 visa-exempt countries — including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil, the UAE, Israel, and South Korea — will be required to apply for this paid electronic travel authorization before entering Europe.
Similar systems are already in use in the United States (ESTA) and the United Kingdom (ETA). The EU’s goal is to enhance pre-travel screening and ensure greater security at its borders.
