EU Entry/Exit System (EES) Launches Oct 12, 2025

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) goes live on October 12, 2025, changing how non‑EU travellers pass Schengen borders.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin operating on October 12, 2025, introducing a digital border-control platform to log arrivals and departures of non‑EU citizens at Schengen entry and exit points. The digital system replaces manual passport stamping with automated processes and biometric registration, aiming to improve security and speed up processing.

Airports and land borders across the Schengen Area will roll out the new kiosks, e‑gates and automated checks that tie biometric records to travel documents. Travelers from the United States and the United Kingdom, along with other non‑EU nationals, should expect new steps at passport control when entering or leaving Europe.

How the EU Entry/Exit System affects your airport experience

At affected checkpoints, border authorities will use the EES platform to confirm identity and travel status using digital records and biometric data. The change is intended to reduce manual checks while giving border guards faster access to arrival and departure information, but implementation may initially alter queuing patterns at busy international terminals.

• Check your passport and visa validity before travel.
• Arrive earlier than usual during the first weeks of rollout to allow time for EES processing.
• Have travel documents ready for biometric registration and automated gates.
• Airlines and airports will post step‑by‑step guidance—search for “EU Entry/Exit System” on your departure airport’s website.

Officials say the system is designed to streamline travel and bolster security by automating routine checks and keeping clearer digital records of non‑EU movements. If you fly internationally into or out of the Schengen Area after October 12, 2025, check your airline and airport communications for specific instructions about kiosks, e‑gates and any temporary queueing changes.