Starting 12 October 2025, Europe will introduce the Entry/Exit System (EES) — a new digital border management system designed to modernise and secure travel across the continent.
The system will apply to non-EU nationals travelling for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) across 29 European countries and will be phased in over a six-month period.
Once fully operational, the EES will replace the manual stamping of passports at the EU’s external borders.
Why is the EES being introduced?
The main objectives of the EES are to:
- Modernise border management – automate checks to speed up entry procedures and reduce waiting times.
- Strengthen security – identify overstayers and ensure reliable tracking of entries and exits.
- Prevent fraud – use biometric data to combat identity and document fraud.
- Support migration management – provide accurate and transparent data on travel flows.
Which countries are part of the EES?
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Who will be registered in the EES?
The system applies to third-country nationals (non-EU citizens) entering participating countries for short stays, whether they require a visa or not.
Certain travellers are exempt, such as residents, family members of EU citizens, and holders of long-stay visas. The EES will also record refusals of entry.
What information will be collected?
- Personal data from travel documents (name, date of birth, nationality);
- Date and location of every entry and exit;
- Biometric data (facial image and/or fingerprints);
- Information regarding any refusal of entry.
Data protection and privacy
All data will be stored in accordance with EU data protection laws. Travellers may access, correct, or request deletion of their data by visiting:
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/data-held-by-ees
Who can access this data?
- Border and immigration authorities;
- Visa-issuing authorities;
- Law enforcement agencies and Europol.
- Under strict rules, international organisations or third countries.
- Transport carriers, solely to verify visa validity.
Exemptions from the EES
The EES will not apply to:
- Citizens of EES countries, Cyprus, and Ireland.
- Residents with close family ties to EU or eligible third country nationals;
- Holders of long-stay visas or residence permits.
- Nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican.
- Persons with special border privileges or valid local border traffic permits.
- Train crew members on international routes.
What this means for your clients
As travel professionals, you can help your clients by:
- Informing them early about the new EES requirements.
- Advising additional time for border checks during the initial rollout.
- Ensuring their travel documents are valid and biometric data is ready when required.
Massari Travel is here to help
At Massari Travel, we stay ahead of every update impacting international travel.
We’ll continue to share reliable, timely information to help you guide your clients confidently and keep their travel experience smooth and stress-free.
✉️ For more information, please contact your Massari Travel representative or visit www.massari-travel.com.
