By Staff Reporter
BRUSSELS | May 26, 2025

The European Union has confirmed a six-month rollout plan for its new digital Entry/Exit System (EES), which will change how non-EU travelers enter and leave 29 Schengen countries.

The system will replace passport stamping with digital biometric checks, such as facial scans and fingerprints. The EES is being introduced gradually to avoid technical problems and give border staff, travelers, and airlines time to adjust.

If you are planning a trip to Europe in 2025 or 2026, this new system will affect how you enter and exit the Schengen Area.

What Is the EES and Why Does It Matter?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new European border control platform designed to:

• Digitally record the entry and exit of non-EU travelers

• Replace manual passport stamps with biometric scans

• Prevent fake identities and overstay violations

• Ensure travelers follow the 90 days in 180 days rule

This system will help make Europe’s borders more secure, efficient, and modern.

Which Countries Will Use the EES?

The EES will apply to 29 Schengen countries, including:

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, Switzerland.

Note: Ireland and Cyprus will not use the EES. They will continue using manual passport stamps.

How Will the Rollout Work?

Instead of launching everywhere at once, the EU will introduce the system gradually over 6 months once the start date is announced.

Here’s what the timeline will look like:

During this period, passport stamping will continue alongside the digital checks.

What This Means for Travelers

• Tourists and business travelers will have their trips automatically tracked

• You must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Zone

• Each entry and exit will be recorded digitally, even if you are visa-exempt

• Frequent trips to Europe (for vacations or work) will add up toward your stay limit

Important: Overstaying could lead to fines, entry bans, or problems getting future visas.

Advice for Companies and Business Travelers

• Employers should track staff travel dates to avoid accidental overstays

• Training for frequent travelers is recommended, especially in multinational companies

• Use travel tracking tools to monitor Schengen trips of employees and contractors

Can the System Be Paused?

Yes. EES operations can be temporarily suspended in some situations, such as:

• Heavy traffic at airports or land borders

• Long wait times

• Technical problems or system overloads

In such cases, passport stamping may continue for up to 6 hours until the issue is resolved.

When Will the Rollout Begin?

The exact start date has not been announced yet. The European Commission will publish the date, after which the six-month phase-in period will begin. Travelers and border officers will be informed well in advance.

For now, travelers are advised to follow updates closely and prepare for biometric checks when traveling to Schengen countries in 2025 or 2026.

For the official press release and detailed list of affected countries, visit:
EU Council Announcement on EES