Europe has implemented a new automated Entry/Exit System (EES), requiring most non-EU travelers to submit biometric data before entering the Schengen area. The system, launched on October 12th and set for full operation by April 10th, 2026, will mandate facial scans and fingerprinting at entry points. Refusal to comply will result in denied access.
The EES covers 29 European countries, including Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, and Italy, but excludes Ireland and Cyprus. Travelers from non-EU nations, except those with long-stay visas, must register personal details via self-service kiosks upon first arrival. Children under 12 will not have fingerprints collected.
European Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner described the system as the “digital backbone” of a new migration framework. The project, initially planned for 2022, faced repeated delays since its 2016 inception. It will also support the EU’s upcoming ETIAS travel authorisation system, scheduled for 2025.