Blog

Travelers to certain European countries will soon experience a new border control process as Europe’s long-awaited new Entry/Exit System, or EES, will begin its rollout this fall. The launch of the system, which will use biometric data to register the visits of non-European Union travelers, has been delayed several times as it was initially expected to begin in 2021.

The EES is mandatory for all non-EU nationals, and you cannot opt out of having your biometric data captured. If you refuse, you will be denied entry.

What is the EES?

The EES is an automated information technology system designed to register non-EU nationals traveling for a short stay to any of the 29 countries using the system. A “short stay” is defined as up to 90 days within any 180-day period for all the European countries using the EES. One of the system’s main functions is to identify those who overstay the allotted time.

“The EES modernises border management by increasing efficiency and quality of processes at the border. It also simplifies travel and makes it safer,” according to the official website of the European Union.

The countries using the system are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

EES countries include 25 of the 27 EU member states, with only Cyprus and Ireland not participating. Those countries will continue to perform manual border passport checks. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are non-EU countries, but they are members of the Schengen Area and follow the short-stay rules.

When will it launch?

The system will launch in phases over a six-month period. Beginning Oct. 12, 2025, data collection will gradually be introduced at border crossing points. It is expected to be fully implemented by April 10, 2026.

During the rollout period, travelers may not have their biometric data collected at every border crossing or their personal information registered in the system, and passports will continue to be stamped as usual.

How US travelers will be affected

When you arrive at a border crossing point for the first time after the EES begins, you will have to provide your personal data from your passport, including your full name and date of birth. Passport control officers will scan four of your fingerprints and/or take a photo of your face to be stored in a digital file known as the Biometric Matching Service. The fingerprints of children under age 12 will not be scanned.

It is unknown whether the rollout will cause longer wait times at borders while travelers navigate the new system. It may be possible to register some of your data in advance using a self-service system if it’s available at your border crossing point or a mobile app if the country you’re traveling to has one. You will still need to see a passport control officer.

The EES will track the date and location of each entry and exit, along with whether you were refused entry. Records of entries, exits and refusals will be kept for three years and then automatically erased. Travelers can request access to their data, request corrections and request that their data be deleted.

Bottom line

The EES is not the only change coming to European travel. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is still expected to be implemented for visa-free travelers in the last quarter of 2026. However, it has just been announced that the application fee will now be 20 euros (about $23), an increase from the initially announced fee of 7 euros (about $8).

Related reading:

• Travel to Europe using points and miles: How to redeem your rewards for flights
• The best airline credit cards
• 8 passport mistakes to avoid
• 15 places you need a visa or ETA to travel to with an American passport