Europe activates its biometric border system

08-10-25

Officials from the European Union in charge of border management have confirmed the details of the upcoming deployment of an automated border control mechanism known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is set to transform how the Schengen Area records the movements of non-EU travelers. This new mechanism, already backed by EU legislation and comprehensive technical documentation, will be introduced gradually and is expected to be fully operational by April 2026.

The EES is an automated IT system designed to electronically register the entry and exit of third-country nationals crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area. Until now, travelers from outside the EU had their passports stamped manually; with the implementation of the EES, this process will be replaced by a digital tracking system that records travel document data, date and place of crossing, as well as biometric information — fingerprints and a facial image — creating a secure and reliable record.

The system is scheduled to begin activation on October 12, 2025, followed by a six-month phased implementation ending on April 9, 2026. From April 10, 2026, the EES will be fully active at all external border points of participating countries. During this transition period, biometric collection may not be available at all crossing points, and manual passport stamping may temporarily coexist with the new system.

The EES will apply to travelers from third countries making short stays — that is, up to 90 days within any 180-day period — whether or not they require a visa. For those who need a visa, the system will store the facial image and document data, since fingerprints are already collected during the visa application process. For travelers exempt from visas, the EES will capture four fingerprints along with the facial photograph.

One of the main advantages of the EES is its ability to automatically monitor compliance with the 90-day stay limit within a 180-day period, allowing authorities to quickly detect overstays or irregular stays. The registration of entries, exits, and refusals will also help combat document fraud, identify false identities, and strengthen border security.

According to EU regulations, entry, exit, and refusal records will be retained for three years from the date of creation. In cases where no exit is recorded after the authorized stay expires — meaning it cannot be verified that the traveler left within the allowed time — the data may be kept for up to five years from the last authorized day of stay. After these periods, all records will be automatically deleted. Strict safeguards are in place for data protection and access is limited to competent authorities.

The EES will not apply to EU citizens or to nationals of countries with equivalent free-movement rights, nor to long-term residents or holders of valid residence permits issued by a Visa-exempt travelers covered by the EES will also undergo biometric registration the first time they cross the border.

The regulation establishing the EES was adopted in 2017 as part of the EU’s “Smart Borders” package, setting the legal foundations for biometric data collection, data retention rules, and access conditions for law enforcement and migration purposes.

This technological advancement marks a major step toward more digitalized, agile, and coordinated borders across the Schengen Area. By automating and centralizing movement records, the EES aims not only to modernize border control but also to enhance interoperability among Member States and provide a more effective response to migration and security challenges. Nevertheless, it also raises legitimate debates about privacy, proportionality, and the limits of large-scale biometric data collection. The system’s success will ultimately depend on its technical implementation and on maintaining the delicate balance between efficiency and the protection of fundamental rights.

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