Attention all international travelers, business jetsetters, and wanderlust adventurers! The European Union has just approved a provisional six-month phased launch of its game-changing Entry/Exit System (EES) — an advanced digital border control platform that will revolutionize how non-EU nationals enter and exit 29 Schengen countries.
This move will replace manual passport stamping with high-tech biometric e-gate scans. But here’s the kicker: it won’t all happen overnight! Instead, the Schengen region is easing into this shift gradually, giving travelers, tech teams, and authorities time to adjust.
If you’re planning a trip to Europe in 2025 or 2026, read this carefully — it could change the way you travel forever!
What’s Happening?
On May 19, 2025, the European Council and the European Parliament struck a deal to roll out the EES over six months, rather than flipping the switch all at once. The decision was made to avoid crashing IT systems under the weight of simultaneous deployment across the entire Schengen Zone.
The EES is designed to:
- Log entry and exit records of non-EU short-stay travelers
- Use biometrics (facial scans & fingerprints) instead of manual passport stamps
- Prevent identity fraud
- Track overstays in real-time (90 days in any 180-day period for most travelers)
The goal? Smarter, more secure, and efficient borders.
Countries Affected – Who’s In?
These 29 countries will participate in EES once it fully rolls out:
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 are not implementing EES and will continue with manual passport stamping.
Phased Rollout – What Travelers Can Expect?
Here’s how the six-month EES transition will unfold (after the official start date is announced by the European Commission):
| Month | EES Deployment Status |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | At least 10% of border points use EES (no biometrics) |
| Months 1–2 | Biometric checks optional at border crossings |
| Month 3 | Minimum 35% border points must use full EES + biometrics |
| Month 6 | Full deployment at all border crossings across Schengen |
During this period, manual passport stamping will continue at all points of entry.
Important for Travelers & Employers
- Business Travelers: Short-stay business visas and visa-free entries will now be strictly monitored for 90/180-day rule compliance.
- Frequent Flyers: Every leisure trip to Paris or conference in Berlin counts toward your stay limit.
- Employers: Be aware that employee vacations in the Schengen Zone may affect the legality of future business travel.
- Companies should consider travel tracking tools and train employees on the EES to prevent accidental overstays.
Can EES Be Suspended?
Yes. Countries can temporarily pause EES operations during:
- Unusually high traffic
- Long border queues
- Up to 6 hours of suspension post-implementation in rare cases.
When Will This Begin?
The exact start date of EES rollout is pending, as the European Commission must still issue a final decision. Once that date is confirmed, the six-month countdown begins.
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