Recently, the European Union initiated the launch of a number of large-scale airports within the Schengen region to begin rolling out its new Entry-Exit System (EES). The EES will be an electronic registry of all travelers entering and exiting the Schengen region as a substitute for the traditional paper-based passport stamps, using digital biometrics on every traveler. In addition to replacing the paper-based passport stamp with digital biometric images of every traveler’s face and fingerprints, the EES will collect and track each traveler’s personal information and travel history.
This new digital system will provide greater security
The new digital system will provide greater security, ease the border check process for travelers, and track those who are overstaying visas more effectively. As stated in the European Commission,
“The EES is designed to improve border management and make it easier to detect overstayers.”
The EES is for short-stay travelers
The ESS is for visitors who are permitted to be in the Schengen area for no longer than 90 days in 180 days. The use of digital recording of entry and exit data will assist authorities in preventing and detecting fraudulent activity, improve border security, and ensure that there is compliance with visa requirements.
The EES is a key component of the European Union’s plans to modernize its border control processes, which will address the increasing number of travelers coming into Schengen member states. There were over 1 billion non-EU travelers who entered Schengen member states in the past year, and manual processing of travelers has become inefficient. The new system will expedite traveler processing, produce more accurate data, and increase border security measures to prevent irregular migration and organized crime.
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)
In addition to the EES, there is another planned system called the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). The ETIAS will require visa-exempted travelers to obtain pre-travel approval beginning in late 2025. Together, these two systems signify a large technological leap forward for border management in the European Union.
Land and sea borders will begin the EES in mid-year 2026
Although the rollout of the EES was initiated in early January 2026 at numerous major international airports in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc., and land and sea borders will follow, the transition has encountered several issues. Reports from airports using the EES initially indicate that there have been lengthy waiting lines during peak hours, with some airports reporting delay periods of up to 3 hours.
Mostly, the EES will result in a safer and more structured entry process for travelers. Instead of depending on the passport stamps to document a traveler’s movement, the EES will record a traveler’s movement electronically and reduce the chance of error and lost documents. However, travelers should expect delays during the initial stages of the EES, and travelers should plan accordingly by allowing additional time for border checks.
Airports and airlines have recommended that travelers arrive earlier than normal
The EU has begun launching public relations and educational campaigns to inform travelers of the changes to the entry process and to promote traveler cooperation during the biometric data enrollment process.
When the EES reaches full operational capacity, it is anticipated that the EES will significantly enhance border security, improve processing efficiency, and provide high-quality data for migration management.
The initial phases of the EES will undoubtedly create some inconvenience for travelers
The long term benefits of a more efficient, technology-based border process are clearly evident. As the EES is rolled out in phases throughout 2026, the EU remains committed to continuing to develop and refine the EES and to address operational problems as they arise. For now, travelers should continue to receive information regarding the plan and welcome the EES as the digital future of European border control.
