Non-European citizens are beginning to notice big changes when entering Europe. From mid-October 2025, the European Union began its shift from traditional passport stamps to a new digital border management system that captures biometric data, aiming to modernise border security and streamline travel within the Schengen area. These changes affect millions of travellers, including business visitors, tourists, and international workers.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) officially began its rollout on October 12, 2025, representing a major advancement in automated border control. Although there may be brief delays during the transition, it is designed to improve the speed, accuracy, and security of border crossings in the long run.
So, what’s changed?
Under the new system, non-EU travellers entering or leaving the Schengen area will have their fingerprints and facial image captured and stored electronically, alongside their name, travel document, and date and place of entry and exit. The system replaces manual passport stamping, which has long been used to track stays within the Schengen zone.
The EES covers 29 countries: 25 EU Member States, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Ireland and Cyprus are not participating yet and will keep using manual passport checks. Similarly, the United Kingdom remains outside the Schengen area, so its border procedures will stay the same.
According to the European Commission, the EES aims to strengthen security, prevent irregular migration, and improve the management of short stays. The system will automatically calculate how long a non-EU visitor has stayed within the 90-day limit allowed for short-term travel within the Schengen zone. Replacing stamps with digital records helps border authorities identify overstayers and detect fraudulent travel patterns more efficiently.
Who’s affected?
The system covers all third-country nationals coming into the Schengen area for short visits — that’s stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day window. This includes citizens from countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, who have benefited from visa-free travel to the EU.
Travellers with long-term visas or residence permits won’t need to register under the EES, as their data is stored in national immigration systems. In contrast, visitors going to Europe for tourism, brief business trips, or family visits will need to complete biometric registration on arrival.
The system is free to use and works seamlessly at air, sea, and land borders. When travellers arrive at airports, most can register easily through self-service kiosks or by using mobile apps, depending on what facilities are available at their point of entry.
What travellers need to do
The first time a traveller enters the Schengen area, they’ll need to complete a one-time biometric registration. This includes answering standard Schengen border code questions, such as the purpose and duration of stay, and providing facial and fingerprint data. Once registered, travellers enjoy a smoother experience, as they don’t need to go through the whole process again for three years. Instead, it’ll be a quick biometric check when crossing again, making visits much easier.
Authorities confirmed that registering only takes a few moments, but it's understandable that there might be some delays initially as systems settle and travellers get used to the process. The Australian government’s Smartraveller service, along with other foreign ministries, advises passengers to give themselves extra time when arriving at European entry points.
The goal is to greatly reduce administrative errors and help prevent travellers from unintentionally overstaying their visit because of misplaced passport stamps or inconsistent calculations at various borders.
Longer stays and visa requirements
The EES doesn’t change existing visa requirements or residence permit procedures, it's simply automating the tracking of short stays within the Schengen zone. Visitors planning to remain in Europe beyond 90 days in any 180 days — whether for work, study, or family reasons — will still need to obtain the appropriate visa or residence authorisation from the host country.
Australia, for example, has visa waiver agreements with several Schengen states, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Each country has its unique procedures for longer stays, so it's a good idea for travellers to check the specific national rules early on. This way, they can plan and have a smooth experience.
Preparing for the transition
The European Commission expects the EES to be fully operational by April 2026. Until then, implementation will be gradual, with individual countries introducing the new infrastructure at different speeds. Some airports and land crossings are already equipped with biometric kiosks, while others will complete installation in the coming months.
Travellers are advised to always make sure their passports are not only valid but also machine-readable. Getting familiar with the process and checking whether their destination offers a mobile pre-registration app can help. Those travelling for work or on tight schedules should allow for possible delays during the initial rollout.
What it means for globally mobile professionals
For international businesses and mobility specialists, the EES means stricter, more transparent travel tracking within the EU, simplifying compliance oversight for employees frequently travelling across Schengen borders and increasing scrutiny of short-term assignments and repeated business visits.
Companies should regularly update their travel management policies, ensuring employees are well-informed about any new rules. It's also helpful to keep clear records of employees' travel movements to prevent accidental overstays. This way, everyone stays on the same page and things run smoothly.
The Entry/Exit System is a significant step forward in Europe’s efforts to modernise borders. While it might cause a slight initial slowdown in airport and border-crossing queues, it ultimately delivers stronger security, smoother processes, and more consistent travel experiences across the Schengen zone. This is especially important as mobility, migration, and global business continue to expand.
Access Financial is here to make international work much easier, helping companies and independent contractors handle the tricky parts of global mobility, payroll, and tax compliance. Whether it's managing cross-border taxes, keeping payroll compliant, or navigating social security and onboarding or termination procedures in over 60 countries, they’re there to guide you every step of the way. By taking care of these administrative details, Access Financial lets you focus on growing your business and doing what you do best, all while reducing risks and ensuring smooth operations.
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