Everything you need to know about the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

If you’ve travelled to or through Europe in the past, you’re probably familiar with the traditional passport stamps and border checks. But things are about to change! The European Union (EU) is rolling out a new Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to modernise the way it tracks who’s coming in and going out of its countries.

Let’s find out what the EES is, why it’s being introduced, how it works, and what it means for you as a traveller.

What exactly is the EES?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital system that the European Union has developed to record information about non-EU citizens entering and leaving the Schengen area. This system is part of the broader goal to streamline and enhance border security, replacing the traditional passport stamp process.

Here’s a snapshot of what the EES will track:

 

  • Personal details: Information such as name, passport number, and country of citizenship.
  • Biometrics: This includes fingerprint scans and facial images.
  • Travel details: Dates and places of entry and exit from the Schengen area.

Instead of stamping your passport at the border, the EES will log all this information digitally. The idea is to make crossing borders faster, more efficient, and safer for everyone involved.

Why is the EU introducing the EES?

The European Union has been working on enhancing its border security for years, and the EES is part of that broader strategy. There are several reasons for bringing in the EES:

 

  • Better border management: With millions of travellers crossing European borders each year, keeping track of who’s entering and leaving the EU is no small task. The EES is designed to streamline this process by replacing old-fashioned passport stamping with modern, automated data collection.
  • Improved security: By recording biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images, the EES can better identify people, even if they attempt to use a different passport or travel under a different name. This helps prevent illegal immigration, human trafficking, and other cross-border crimes.
  • No more overstaying: One of the EES’s key functions is to monitor how long travellers stay within the Schengen area.
  • Faster and more efficient border crossings: While biometric data collection may sound time-consuming, the goal is for the EES to speed up border control checks in the long run, especially for frequent travellers. Automated gates that scan your biometric data can be much quicker than manual passport checks.

 

How will the EES work?

Now that we know why the system is being introduced, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how the EES will function when you’re traveling.

 

  • Entering the EUWhen you arrive at a Schengen border, your passport will still be scanned, but instead of receiving a stamp, your data will be entered into the EES system. This includes your personal details and biometric information. Depending on the country, this might be done by a border guard or through an automated system at an eGate.
  • Biometric dataThe collection of biometric data is one of the most significant changes. This will involve scanning your fingerprints and capturing a digital image of your face. If you’re familiar with using biometric passports at automated gates, this process will feel quite similar.
  • Tracking your stayThe EES will automatically calculate how long you can stay in the Schengen area. This means keeping track of the “90 days within 180 days” rule. The system will log your entry, track how long you stay, and record your exit. If you return multiple times within the same period, the system will keep a cumulative count.
  • Exiting the EU When you leave the Schengen Area, the system will record your departure, completing your travel log. This ensures that border authorities know exactly when and where you left the EU, which can be especially important if you’re nearing the limit of your allowed stay.

 

What should you expect as a traveller?

For most travellers, the EES will be a smooth transition. While the idea of handing over your biometric data might seem a bit daunting at first, the goal is to make things easier and safer.

 

  • First entry may take slightly longer: The first time you enter the EU under the EES, you’ll need to provide your biometrics, which might take a little extra time. But once you’re in the system, subsequent visits should be quicker.
  • Automated gates: More and more airports and border crossings will have automated gates where you can scan your passport and provide your biometric data in seconds.
  • No more passport stamps: Say goodbye to the days of collecting passport stamps from different countries in Europe! Your travel will now be tracked digitally.

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