EU Launches Biometric Border Checks Today
Oct 12, 2025
Category: Border and Security EES EU News
Starting today, the European Union will launch the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new biometric database that records the fingerprints and facial images of all non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area.
This system represents one of the biggest changes to EU border control in decades, replacing traditional passport stamps with a fully digital travel record.
The European Commission and the EU Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems (eu-LISA) confirmed that every member state is ready to begin using the system.
The rollout will happen in stages, with full operation planned for April 10, 2026.
A major shift in border management
Under the new system, non-EU citizens—including visa-free travelers from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada—will need to give biometric data the first time they enter the Schengen Area.
This means providing fingerprints and a facial scan, which will be stored for three years. Children under 12 will only need to have their photo taken, and registration will be free.
After enrollment, future trips will only require identity checks through facial recognition or fingerprint scans. The data will be linked to each traveler’s passport, allowing border officials to automatically track how long someone stays in the EU.
This helps enforce the 90-day limit on short visits within a 180-day period, a rule that’s been hard to monitor with manual passport stamps.
The system covers all Schengen countries—22 EU members plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein—but excludes Ireland and Cyprus.
Travelers entering by land, sea, or air will use EES kiosks or manned biometric checkpoints, depending on local facilities.
Purpose, policy goals
The European Commission described the EES as a modernization effort meant to “strengthen the security of the Schengen area.” It’s designed to prevent identity fraud, reduce illegal migration, and track people who overstay their visa-free limits.
By automating border checks, the EU aims to make travel faster and safer while improving data sharing between member states.
Katre Vahtra from Estonia’s Ministry of the Interior said the country will launch EES at all border points at once, noting that “there may be longer queues than usual at first, but this is a natural part of launching such a major system change.”
Luxembourg and the Czech Republic will also activate the system immediately, while countries like the Netherlands and France plan to roll it out gradually over the next few months.
Gradual introduction to avoid disruption
The EU said that the rollout will happen in phases to reduce disruptions.
At the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, and London’s St. Pancras Eurostar station, the first EES checks will start with freight and coach traffic. Passenger cars and train travelers will be added gradually through the end of the year.
The UK government has advised travelers to “allow more time for journeys” as the system adjusts. Industry groups like the Road Haulage Association have also warned of possible delays during the transition.
The European Commission expects the real test to come during Easter 2026, when many families will travel under the new system for the first time.
The Netherlands, which chose a slower rollout, will begin small-scale testing at selected border points before expanding to major locations like Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in November, then to sea crossings and smaller airports by early 2026.
How the system works
At border control, travelers will scan their passport and provide biometric data at an automated kiosk. This information is encrypted and stored in the EES database, which is managed by eu-LISA.
When travelers leave, their record is updated to show their exit, helping authorities check if they’ve followed stay limits.
The EES database will store millions of records and connect with other EU systems, including the Visa Information System (VIS) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which launches in 2026.
According to EU data protection rules, biometric data will be securely stored for three years, then deleted unless it’s part of an active law enforcement case. Only authorized border and immigration officers can access this information.
Data protection, privacy concerns
The European Commission said that the EES follows the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), but privacy advocates still question how such a large biometric database will be managed.
EU officials insisted that strong safeguards are in place, including strict limits on data storage and access.
The European Data Protection Supervisor has stressed the importance of transparency and accountability when handling biometric data, noting that “trust in border management systems depends on robust privacy protections.”
The EES only collects biometric and travel information—like entry and exit dates—and doesn’t track a traveler’s movements within the EU.
Coordination among member states
As part of the rollout, the EES–ETIAS Advisory Group, led by eu-LISA, coordinated technical preparations across member states. Now that the system is live, EU governments will take over leadership of the group.
The European Commission has also launched an information campaign to help travelers understand the new process.
Airlines, ferry operators, and border agencies have been told to post clear signs and offer multilingual details about EES registration at ports and terminals.
Local readiness, testing
Several countries have finished nationwide preparations.
Estonia, Luxembourg, and Czechia confirmed that they are ready to register all non-EU travelers from day one. Others, like Spain and Germany, have focused on pilot testing at select airports and land borders.
EU officials said that the system went through extensive trials in 2024 and early 2025, including stress tests to ensure it can handle busy travel periods.
These tests simulated heavy data use and biometric checks to spot possible slowdowns before the system goes public.
Anticipated challenges
Despite reassurances, border agencies and transport operators expect some initial challenges.
Complex border setups, limited kiosk space, and travelers adjusting to the new process could slow things down, especially at sites where French officials handle Schengen checks on UK territory.
The French Ministry of the Interior said that “temporary suspensions of biometric checks” may happen if lines get too long, particularly during busy travel periods.
Eurostar officials also plan a “phased introduction” of biometric registration at London St. Pancras to manage crowding, with similar steps expected at ferry terminals between the UK and France.
ETIAS next
The EES will work alongside the upcoming ETIAS, which is set to launch in late 2026.
Once it’s active, travelers from visa-free countries will need to apply online for ETIAS approval before their trip. The application will ask for personal information, travel details, and a €20 fee. Approval will last for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires.
ETIAS will operate much like the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), checking applicants against EU security and migration databases before granting travel permission.
Public communication efforts
The European Commission and national authorities are encouraging travelers to learn about the new process before their trip.
Information campaigns are being launched at airports, consulates, and travel agencies, with official websites offering country-specific details and FAQs.
To ease the transition, some EU countries are adding more border staff during the first phase. Major hubs will also expand automated e-gates and self-service kiosks to help reduce wait times.
Impact on border traffic
Industry and government forecasts differ, but travel groups expect only minor disruptions in the first few months.
The UK’s Port of Dover, which already faces congestion during busy travel periods, has added new biometric kiosks and plans to keep testing them through November.
Freight companies and tour operators worry that commercial transport may face the longest delays until all drivers are registered in the new system. Authorities aim to smooth out the process before Easter 2026, when cross-border travel usually peaks.
Preparing for full integration
The full rollout of the EES is the EU’s next move toward a unified digital border management system.
Once ETIAS launches, both systems will connect with the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the Visa Information System (VIS), creating an integrated setup for entry approval, monitoring, and enforcement.
This digital shift is meant to boost security while preserving the Schengen area’s principle of free movement. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said that the initiative “will make travel safer and more predictable, both for EU citizens and visitors.”
Implications for travelers, migrants
The EES will affect short-term visitors, long-term migrants, and frequent travelers in different ways.
Short-term tourists and business travelers will only need to complete biometric registration once, making future entries quicker. However, frequent cross-border workers and students may face some inconvenience at first as systems stabilize and lines vary.
For long-term residents or migrants with residence permits, the new system won’t replace current visa procedures but could make entry and reentry checks smoother.
A new era at Europe’s borders
The EES marks a major change in how millions of people travel to and from the bloc. By replacing passport stamps with biometric checks, the EU aims to make border crossings smarter, faster, and more secure.
For short-term travelers, this means completing a one-time registration of fingerprints and facial images, which will make future trips easier.
For long-term residents and frequent visitors, it represents a step toward a unified digital border system that will eventually connect with the new ETIAS travel authorization program.
Although travelers may face longer lines and some confusion at first, the system is designed to make movement across borders smoother in the long run.
The main challenge will be maintaining efficiency while protecting personal data and upholding privacy under EU law.