The European Union launches a digital system in October to track those who exceed their stay duration.
The European Union has confirmed that its new border monitoring system known as the Entry/Exit System (EES) will come into operation on October 12, 2025. This system represents a significant shift in how travelers from outside the EU are handled when entering Europe, with a particular focus on identifying and tracking those who exceed the permitted length of stay within the Schengen Area.
Under this system, the traditional passport stamp will be replaced by a modern digital process. Biometric data will be collected from non-EU travelers, including fingerprints and facial images. This data will be securely stored and used to track the duration of visitors' stay and ensure compliance with the short-stay rule allowing a maximum of 90 days.
The system will be implemented in 29 European countries, including all Schengen countries and associated countries such as Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland, but it will not include Ireland and Cyprus.
Travelers are advised to prepare for potential delays at airports, ports, and land crossing points during the first few months, while border staff adapt to the new system. Despite these initial challenges, EU authorities assure that the system will improve inspection processes, making them faster and more secure, in addition to reducing identity fraud cases.
The system is expected to be fully implemented by April 2026. The European Union is also preparing to launch a new travel authorization system known as ETIAS at the end of 2026.