Europe’s new entry system: essential tips, safety and smart deals

Europe is rolling out a major update to how visitors are processed at external borders. The new Entry-Exit System (EES) begins a progressive launch on 12 October 2025 and will be phased across 29 participating Schengen countries over six months, with full deployment expected by 10 April 2026. The change replaces routine passport stamping with digital records and biometric enrolment for most short-stay travellers.

This article explains what the EES records, who is affected, how biometric enrolment will work, the follow-up ETIAS travel-authorisation layer planned for late 2026, and practical tips to protect your privacy and save money. Read on for safety advice, scam warnings and smart-deal planning so your European trips stay smooth during the rollout.

What the Entry-Exit System (EES) records

The EES will capture travel-document data, a facial image and, in most cases, fingerprints each time a third-country national makes a short-stay crossing into a Schengen member. It will also log the date and place of entry and exit for every recorded crossing. These digital records are designed to replace passport stamping and to provide automated ways to detect overstayers and identity fraud.

Records for individual travellers are retained centrally for roughly three years: individual files are typically kept for three years plus one day from the last recorded exit. Access is strictly limited to authorised border, visa and certain law-enforcement bodies under EU rules and oversight. That retention period and the access rules aim to balance border security with data-protection safeguards.

The system is part of a larger shift toward biometric and digital border-management tools. eu-LISA and other agencies expect shared biometric matching services (sBMS) to hold large numbers of templates , on the order of hundreds of millions , so EES will operate at substantial scale to support fast automated checks across countries.

Who is affected , exemptions and practical consequences

EES applies to third-country nationals on short stays to the Schengen group of 29 states (this includes Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein). Both travellers who need a visa and many visa-exempt visitors will be recorded. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, residents and holders of long-stay visas are excluded from EES enrolment.

Children and people with specific needs are treated differently: children under age 12 are exempt from fingerprint collection, although a photograph will normally be taken. Minors and travellers with disabilities or other special needs must be handled using tailored procedures that respect their rights and dignity.

Refusal to provide required biometric data at the border can lead to denial of entry. EES will help automate detection of travellers who exceed the 90-days-in-180-days rule and will feed results to national authorities for follow-up, so compliance matters for visitors who plan to move between Schengen states.

Biometrics, privacy safeguards and travellers’ rights

EU bodies , including the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and eu-LISA , have emphasised the need for strong safeguards. These include staff training, data-protection impact assessments (DPIAs), clear information to travellers, and accessible procedures for correcting or erasing inaccurate records.

Travellers keep data-protection rights: you will be informed about the data being collected, how long it is kept, and which authorities may access it. If you believe information is incorrect you can request correction or deletion under the applicable procedures. EU oversight bodies will monitor implementation to reduce the risks of misuse or excessive retention.

Because EES brings centralised biometric files, the system design tries to limit who can query and retrieve records. Nevertheless, travellers should be aware that biometric templates and entry/exit histories are stored centrally for enforcement and border-management purposes.

What to expect at the border during rollout

Expect a transition period: the launch on 12 October 2025 begins a six-month phased rollout across 29 countries through 10 April 2026. During that window some crossings will use the new kiosks and biometric enrolment while others may continue stamping passports until local deployment finishes. That means travel experiences can vary by airport and land border during rollout.

At many airports you will see self-service kiosks and a requirement to complete biometric enrolment on your first post-launch entry. This typically means scanning your travel document, having your photo taken and , unless exempt , providing fingerprint scans. These steps are intended to make future border crossings faster once your data is in the system.

Because enrolment and technical updates can slow processing, plan extra time for arrivals and departures during the rollout. Airlines and border authorities advise travellers to add time to their itineraries, keep documents handy and follow posted instructions at kiosks and checks.

ETIAS: the travel-authorisation layer coming in late 2026

Complementing EES is the forthcoming ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). ETIAS adds an online pre-travel authorisation for visa-free nationals and is scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026; the exact date will be announced at least six months beforehand. ETIAS aims to screen visa-exempt visitors before they travel.

The Commission has set the ETIAS fee at EUR 20 when the system goes live (this replaces an earlier figure). Authorisations will generally be valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, so a successful single application can cover multiple trips over that validity period. Applicants under 18 and over 70 are exempt from paying the fee.

The scale is large: ETIAS will affect an estimated 1.4 billion potential travellers from visa-free countries. Planning and automation are essential to process that volume while keeping passenger flows moving and ensuring security checks are feasible.

Scams, official channels and how to avoid fraud

Authorities warn of many unofficial and fake ETIAS websites charging extortionate fees or stealing personal data. Frontex explicitly cautions the public: “Travellers should be very cautious… it is not currently possible to apply for an official ETIAS travel authorisation since the system is not operational yet,” and warns of dozens to more than a hundred fraudulent operators offering fake services.

To avoid scams, apply only via official portals when ETIAS launches (for example europa.eu/etias or travel-europe.europa.eu/etias) or use authorised intermediaries. Never share passport details, fingerprints or credit-card information with unofficial sites that promise fast-track approval or lower fees.

If you suspect a scam, report it to national consumer protection authorities, your bank and the EU reporting channels. Keep screenshots and receipts of any suspicious communications , these can help authorities investigate and protect others.

Safety, privacy and practical traveller tips

Prepare key documents: bring the same passport you used to apply for any online authorisation, save or print travel reservations and insurance, and carry copies of important paperwork. Keep an electronic backup (securely stored) of your passport page and travel authorisation once ETIAS is live.

Plan extra time at the border during the rollout, follow instructions at self-service kiosks, and comply with biometric requests unless lawfully exempt. Remember that refusing biometric collection can result in denial of entry, so raise concerns with border staff and ask for information about safeguards if you need accommodation for medical or other reasons.

Before you travel, check authoritative sources for up-to-date rules: the European Commission EES and ETIAS pages, eu-LISA news and FAQs, Frontex warnings, your national embassy or consulate travel pages, and your airline’s entry-requirements guidance. These official channels will be the best defence against incorrect or outdated advice.

Smart money moves and ways to avoid extra costs

Because ETIAS authorisations are valid for up to three years, applying once (when the system opens) and reusing the authorisation for multiple trips is a simple way to save time and avoid repeated application fees. Families should note fee exemptions for under-18s and travellers over 70, which can reduce the cost for multi-generation trips.

During the EES rollout, book flexible or refundable tickets and travel insurance that covers schedule or entry disruptions. Local rollouts may differ by country and at different ports of entry, so refundable options and modest itinerary buffers can protect you from delays caused by kiosks or temporary staffing changes.

Compare official costs and avoid intermediaries that charge extra for simple applications. Industry groups criticised the ETIAS fee rise as “disproportionate and runs counter to the original intention,” while regulators say the higher fee covers operational costs and expanded functionality. Weigh the convenience of paid services against the guaranteed safety of applying through official portals.

Europe’s move to EES and ETIAS marks a shift toward biometric, digital border management intended to speed future crossings and enhance security. The transition requires preparation from travellers and vigilance against scams, but it should ultimately make short-stay travel across the Schengen area smoother once fully deployed.

Follow official EU and national sources before travelling, allow extra time during the rollout window (12 October 2025 to 10 April 2026), and use the tips above to protect your personal data and your wallet. With the right preparation you can turn a complex rollout into a low-stress travel advantage.