On July 18, 2025, the Council of the European Union has officially adopted a regulation allowing for the progressive implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new digital border management tool designed to enhance security and streamline checks at the EU’s external borders.
What Is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is a biometric-based digital system that will record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals traveling for short stays in the Schengen Area. It will collect and store:
- Passport data
- Fingerprints
- Facial images
- Entry and exit timestamps
This system replaces the manual stamping of passports and aims to reduce identity fraud, detect overstays, and improve the efficiency of border checks.
Key Features of the New Regulation
- Gradual Implementation: EU member states may choose to phase in the EES over a six-month period, while others may opt for full implementation from day one.
- Biometric Registration: All travelers must be fully registered, including biometric data, by the end of the transition period.
- Manual Stamping Continues Temporarily: Until full implementation, border officials will continue to manually stamp travel documents.
- Flexibility in Exceptional Cases: Member states may suspend EES operations at specific border crossings in exceptional circumstances, such as high traffic volumes.
Next Steps
The regulation will enter into force shortly after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The European Commission will determine the official start date for the EES rollout.
Background
Originally adopted in 2017, the EES regulation required simultaneous implementation across all member states. However, due to concerns about IT system resilience and operational readiness, the European Commission proposed a phased approach, now made possible through this new regulation.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.
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