The European Union has officially begun the rollout of its Entry/Exit System (EES) – a groundbreaking digital border control framework designed to modernize the way travelers enter and leave Europe. The new system went live on October 12, 2025, and will be gradually implemented across 29 European countries over the next six months.
EES will replace the long-standing practice of manually stamping passports for non-EU nationals traveling for short stays. Instead, the system will register travelers’ personal details, including their name, travel document information, fingerprints, and a facial image, along with the date and place of each border crossing.
Once fully implemented by April 10, 2026, this digital upgrade aims to streamline travel, enhance security, and detect overstayers automatically – something that paper-based passport stamps could never achieve.
The initiative represents one of the EU’s most ambitious digital transitions to date, ensuring safer and more efficient management of external borders while maintaining the bloc’s commitment to data protection and fundamental rights.
What Travelers Need to Know
For most non-EU visitors, the introduction of EES will mean a faster, more automated process at airports, ferry terminals, and land crossings. Travelers will have their biometric data collected the first time they enter an EES-participating country. On subsequent trips, entry will be processed automatically through self-service kiosks or e-gates, minimizing wait times.
Officials emphasize that the new system is not designed to discourage travel but rather to make it easier and more transparent. The data will also help authorities identify overstayers, prevent identity fraud, and improve responses to security threats. In parallel, the shift supports the EU’s broader Smart Borders Package, which includes future integration with ETIAS – the electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers.
The European Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems (eu-LISA) is overseeing the development and operation of EES. This agency is responsible for ensuring that the system runs smoothly and that data is handled securely across all participating countries.
EES forms a key part of the EU’s Security Union strategy, aligning with broader goals outlined in the European Agenda on Security and Migration. By digitizing border management, the EU aims to better protect residents and visitors alike while simplifying the experience for millions of travelers who visit countries such as France, Spain, Italy, and Germany each year.
While some early travelers may face minor delays during the first months of implementation, the long-term goal is clear – a faster, safer, and smarter way to cross European borders. Once the system is fully operational by 2026, the era of passport stamps in Europe will officially come to an end, replaced by a seamless, data-driven border process designed for the future of global travel.
