From October 2025, the EES System will replace passport stamps in the EU, modernizing border control. Find out how it will affect your trip.
End passport stamps in UE. The European Union is about to implement one of the most significant transformations in border control in recent decades. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will come into force on October 12, 2025, marking the definitive end of traditional passport stamps and inaugurating a new digital era for over 700 million annual travelers visiting the European continent.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated border control system that will completely replace manual passport stamping with an electronic record based on biometric data. This revolutionary system will be applied in 29 European countries that are part of the Schengen Area, including all European Union members (except Ireland and Cyprus) and associated countries such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
When the EES becomes operational, travelers from third countries (including Americans, Canadians, Australians, and other non-EU citizens) will go through a completely digitized process:
First entry into the system:
Subsequent trips:
The collected biometric data will be valid for three years, allowing multiple trips during this period without the need for complete re-registration.
The European Commission officially confirmed that the EES will have a progressive six-month implementation, starting on October 12, 2025. This gradual rollout was approved to minimize disruptions and allow countries to adequately adapt to the new technology.
Phase 1 (October 2025): Initial implementation at 10% of border points
Phase 2 (90 days later): Expansion to 50% of control points
Phase 3 (April 2026): Full operation at 100% of external borders
During the transition period, passports will continue to be stamped parallel to the new digital system, ensuring process continuity.
The EES system will be implemented in the following countries:
EU Member States:
Schengen Associated Countries:
Important: United Kingdom and Ireland will not participate in the EES system, maintaining their own independent border controls.
The EES will apply to all non-EU citizens visiting participating countries for:
For travelers:
For authorities:
Initial processing time: Experts warn that first-time registration may take 2 to 5 additional minutes per passenger, potentially causing longer queues in the first months of implementation.
Airport infrastructure: Major airports like Lisbon, Barcelona, Rome, and Paris are investing millions of euros in new biometric equipment and expansion of control areas.
European countries are making massive investments to implement the EES:
Portugal: Humberto Delgado Airport (Lisbon) has already installed the first biometric equipment, with testing started in April 2025.
France: Implementation of new systems at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel, with more than 100 self-service kiosks.
Germany: Complete modernization of systems at major airports in Frankfurt and Munich.
Many European airports still face significant challenges:
It’s essential not to confuse EES with ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), which are complementary but distinct systems:
Important: ETIAS will only be implemented after complete EES consolidation, expected for the last quarter of 2026.
Mandatory documentation:
EES preparation:
The European Union has developed an official app that will allow data pre-registration to speed up border processes. The app will enable:
The EES will use state-of-the-art biometric technology:
The system was developed strictly following the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
Greater efficiency: Despite initial challenges, EES promises to significantly reduce waiting times after the adaptation period.
Crime combat: The 40% reduction in undetected overstay rates, observed in pilot projects, benefits the entire tourism sector.
Accurate statistics: Reliable data on tourist flows will enable better sectoral planning.
During the first months of 2025, experts predict:
The EES System represents much more than simple technological modernization – it’s the definitive transformation of how Europe manages its external borders. For the millions of international travelers who visit the continent annually, this change will require adaptation but will bring significant medium and long-term benefits.
For travelers in 2025:
For the tourism sector:
The EES marks the beginning of a new era for international travel to Europe, promising greater security, efficiency, and control. Despite initial implementation challenges, the system is destined to become the new global standard for border management, positioning Europe at the forefront of innovation in security and international mobility.
Stay updated with official European Union information and prepare adequately to enjoy a more modern and secure travel experience from October 2025.
