Europe on Sunday began rolling out a new automated border control system that will photograph and fingerprint non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area, marking a major shift in how the bloc manages its external borders.
The Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaces manual passport stamps, aims to strengthen security and improve information sharing across the European Union’s 27 member states. It will record when travellers enter and leave the Schengen zone, helping authorities track overstays and identify people refused entry.
The rollout which has been years in the making and repeatedly delayed, has sparked concern among travellers and transport operators over potential delays at airports, train stations, and ferry terminals.
To avoid major disruptions, EU countries are introducing the system in phases. In the first stage, starting Sunday, non-EU nationals arriving for short stays — except those entering Cyprus or Ireland — must provide their passport details, fingerprints, and a facial photograph at automated kiosks.
The same process applies to arrivals in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, which are part of the European Economic Area.
Larger EU states such as France and Germany will initially conduct only limited checks to prevent long queues, while several smaller member states have already implemented the system in full. All EU countries are expected to make automated checks mandatory by mid-April 2026.
The system’s debut also affects British citizens, who have been subject to Schengen border rules since Brexit. UK authorities have warned travellers to expect slightly longer waits at checkpoints.
Terminals have already been installed at major entry points, including London’s St Pancras International and the port of Dover, where passengers are processed before crossing into EU territory. Channel Tunnel operator Getlink and train service Eurostar said they were confident the system would operate smoothly.
In a statement, the European Commission said the new system would “help prevent irregular migration and protect the security of everyone living in or travelling to Europe.”
The EES is the first step in the EU’s broader border management overhaul. The next phase will introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) — an online permit similar to the US ESTA or the UK’s electronic travel authorisation.
Under ETIAS, travellers from visa-exempt countries will need to fill out an online form and pay a small fee before entering the EU. The exact fee is still under discussion.
EU officials say both systems are designed to modernise border controls and make travel more secure, though travellers may face an adjustment period as the changes take effect.