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EU Entry/Exit System: Coming into Effect on October 12 – What Non-EU Travellers Need to Know

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new EU system that will electronically record the entry, exit, and refusal of entry of non-EU nationals travelling for short stays in the Schengen area. It replaces passport stamping with biometric and digital data collection to better enforce the 90-/180-day rule and strengthen border security.

Here are five key effects of the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals (i.e. people from third countries) doing short stays in the Schengen area:

Biometric & Data Recording

  • On first entry, non-EU travellers will have to provide biometric data: fingerprints + facial image.
  • Data such as name, type of travel document, date & place of entry and exit will be automatically recorded in an electronic system.
  • This system will gradually replace passport stamping.

Enforcement of the 90-/180-day rule

  • Whether visa-exempt or visa-required, anyone staying short-term (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) will have their stay more precisely tracked.
  • Overstays (staying beyond permitted duration) are more likely to be flagged and may lead to consequences.

Phased Roll-out & Transitional Period

  • The system begins operations on 12 October 2025, but full implementation across all external border crossing points is expected by 10 April 2026.
  • During the transition, some border points won’t yet have biometric functionality; passport stamping may still occur in some places, depending on how fast they set up the new system.

Stricter Control & Security

  • The EES is intended to reduce identity fraud, detect false travel documents, better verify identity, and help prevent irregular migration.
  • Border authorities will have more reliable and centralised data.

Practical Consequences for Travellers & Organisations

  • Longer procedures may occur on first crossings (when biometric registration happens) and at less prepared border points.
  • Travellers should keep precise records of their entries & exits; inconsistencies (missing entries, unclear stamps during the transition) might lead to problems proving legal stay.
  • Employers/institutions who send non-EU staff on short stays need to adjust policies and tracking of travel, to avoid inadvertent overstays.

Who’s exempt from EES

  • EU / EEA / Swiss citizens: People with citizenship of EU Member States (or countries in the Schengen / EFTA / EEA framework plus Switzerland) are not subject to EES registration.
  • Certain micro-states & small non-EU states: Nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City (Holy See) are also exempt. Holders of residence permits/residence cards: If a non-EU national holds a valid residence permit or a residence card issued by an EU / Schengen country, they are exempt. That remains valid while the document is in force.
  • Long-stay visas: Non-EU nationals holding a visa for long-stay (often called “Visa D” etc.) are exempt. The rationale is that EES is meant for short stays (up to 90 days / 180-day period).
  • Local border traffic permits: Travellers who have a local border-traffic permit (often for people living close to external borders, commuting etc.) are exempt when used under those specific local border arrangements.
  • Special passport categories / privileged persons: This includes holders of diplomatic, service or special passports, crew of international transport, members of armed forces on official duty in some contexts, people with privileges under certain international agreements, etc.
    • Travelling for certain purposes (education, research, voluntary service, etc.): Non-EU nationals travelling for things like studies, training, educational exchanges, volunteering, au-pair work, intra-corporate transfers etc., may be exempt in some cases or treated differently.

More details: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees

Enjoy!

Posted by
5825 posts

We'll be flying into Malaga on the 12th October so I'll be interested to see how it goes. Apparently there are caveats in the implementation of the system that allows member states to suspend it temporarily if it is causing undue issues. I'm hoping that it will alleviate some of the pressure that makes flying from Malaga one of the most frustrating airport experiences in Europe.

I would probably fly to and from Gibraltar but the hair raising crosswinds that affect the airport at times means that it's out of the equation.

Posted by
1876 posts

It is going to be interesting to see how this rolls out. I hope it makes travel easier once it’s fully implemented but we’ll see.

Posted by
3298 posts

My guess is this will run as a trial until 2026, but after that, it will pretty much be the standard. So it is important, especially for those flying into the EU a lot (mainly our British friends), to really start paying closer attention to the 90-day rule. Otherwise, you'll risk getting flagged and refused entry on future trips.

Posted by
8908 posts

I'm glad they are finally getting this up and running. I have been through the new gates, mostly on exit, multiple times. They are easy to use, though as always some passengers will struggle, but if the UK and other countries are any indicator, expect much faster processing.