The European Union will begin gradually implementing its new Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to enhance external border management for travelers from non-EU countries, starting on October 12th. Replacing traditional passport stamps, the system will introduce biometric verification methods, including fingerprinting and facial recognition.
The EES will apply to all third-country nationals, including UK citizens, traveling to or through the Schengen Area for short stays, whether for tourism or business purposes.
Phased rollout and key exemptions
Beginning in October, member states will start integrating the system in phases over the next six months. During this time, border authorities will progressively record biometric and travel data of non-EU travelers as they cross the EU’s external borders.
Once the rollout is complete, the EES will be fully operational at all border checkpoints. However, the system does not apply universally. Exemptions include residents with valid EU residence permits and citizens of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, as well as their family members.
How the system works
The EES is part of the EU’s broader Smart Borders initiative aimed at improving security, expediting checks for frequent travelers, and addressing irregular migration. As part of the system’s deployment, fingerprint scanners have already been installed at key locations, such as the Eurostar terminal in London.
Travelers will be required to verify either their fingerprints or facial image (but not both) during their first crossing. The system will also allow authorities to track overstays, ensuring compliance with the permitted duration of stay within the Schengen zone. Once operational, British and other non-EU travelers will no longer receive passport stamps upon entry or exit.
European Commission statement
According to the European Commission, “The EES is a state-of-the-art system that will digitally record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals traveling to 29 European countries, including those associated with the Schengen Area, for short stays. It will collect biometric data—such as fingerprints and facial images—along with travel details, gradually replacing the manual passport stamping process.”
New digital system at the Greek land customs
Separately, as of Monday, July 28, Greece has launched a new digital system for tracking all trucks and buses crossing its land border checkpoints. This initiative replaces outdated manual procedures, such as handwritten logs and paper records, with a fully digitized platform that brings Greek customs operations closer to modern international border control standards.
The new system offers several advantages:
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Faster border processing significantly reduces delays.
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More efficient deployment of customs staff, thanks to reduced paperwork and administrative burden.
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Improved detection of suspicious vehicles through enhanced data integration.
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Greater transparency and accountability in customs procedures.
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A unified digital environment for monitoring and recording all cross-border traffic.
Approximately 6.3 million vehicles and 19.45 million passengers cross Greece’s land borders each year. With the new system, all such movements will now be recorded electronically and in real-time, strengthening enforcement capabilities and enhancing collaboration with other national and international border agencies.
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