European Commission announces launch of new border control system in October

The European Commission has announced that the Electronic Entry-Exit System (EES), which will digitally register the entry and exit of travelers from non-EU countries into the Schengen Area, will begin implementation on October 12, 2025.

According to the Commission’s statement, the system will be rolled out gradually over a six-month period, after which it will become fully operational at all border crossing points.

The phased implementation is intended to give border authorities, the transportation sector, and travelers time to adjust to the new procedures. The Commission emphasized that this step marks significant progress toward building a more secure and efficient border management system in the EU.

What is the Electronic Entry-Exit System (EES)?
The EES will digitally record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals traveling for short stays in the EU. The system will collect:

Passport details

Fingerprints

Facial images

The aim is to better monitor irregular entries into the Schengen zone and strengthen border control efforts.

The system was originally planned to go into effect on November 10, 2024, but was repeatedly delayed due to infrastructure readiness issues in several member states.