The EU launches a new entry and exit control system

On 12 October 2025, the European Union began the phased rollout of updated border control procedures. The Entry/Exit System (EES) requires all visitors from outside the EU and the Schengen Area to submit passport data and undergo facial scanning and fingerprinting on entry and exit.

The personal data of all so-called "third-country nationals" will be stored for three years, building a digital history of border crossings. Children under 12 are also subject to data registration, although providing a photograph is not required for them.

The system covers "Schengen+" — the 25 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland (excluding Cyprus and Ireland) — and replaces manual passport stamps. According to the European Commission, the EES is intended to "modernise border management, strengthen security, and identify overstayers," automatically tracking compliance with the 90/180 rule for visa-free travellers.

EES registration points are being rolled out at international airports, seaports, rail and bus terminals, and land border crossings. The transition to the new system will take place gradually over six months, with full readiness expected by 10 April 2026. If excessive queues form, border guards will be able to temporarily suspend the procedure; delays of up to four hours are possible on some routes.

Despite the phased rollout, travellers are advised to be prepared for the procedure already. The EES is fully operational at UK departure points, as well as in Estonia, at Düsseldorf Airport (Germany), in Czechia, and in Luxembourg. At Amsterdam Schiphol, rollout begins on 3 November 2025. Major French airports (including Paris CDG and Nice) are technically ready; software has been updated in Greece and Poland.

In Belgium, to support the Federal Police, Brussels Airport has upgraded its infrastructure: 12 new border control booths and cameras for capturing facial biometrics have been installed at all 33 checkpoints in the arrivals area. An additional 61 self-service kiosks have been rolled out for pre-registering certain data of non-European passengers, the airport reported.