EU Entry/Exit System: What Travelers Need to Know

The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) launches progressively from October 12, 2025, reaching full mandatory use across 29 Schengen countries by April 10, 2026, replacing manual passport stamps with biometric registration for non-EU visitors on short stays. Travelers provide fingerprints and facial images upon first entry, with data stored for three years or five for overstays, automatically tracking the 90/180-day rule to flag violations that trigger fines, bans, or visa issues.