From 12. October, new, state-of-the-art European Union Border Management System – Entrance / Out System (EES) – starts working, and will modernize the management of EU external borders.
The introduction of new technology will provide reliable data on border transitions and gradually improve the experience of passengers when entering the Schengen area. This system will replace the current mode, ie manual passport stamping, and improve security through improved border controls, the use of electronic records and biometric data.
The EES will process data at border crossings for passengers who do not citizenship of the EU member, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland for a short stay (90 days of 180 days), every time they cross the external boundaries of any of the European countries that apply this system.
The data that will be recorded are information from the travel document, the date and place of each entry and exit, as well as biometric data, and fingerprints, which will collect passport controls when the traveler first accesses the border crossing after the EES start. These data will then store into a digital file and check during the next border crossings.
The EES will ensure the highest standards of data protection and privacy. Records on the enters and outs will be stored three years from the date of creation, while individual files that contain personal information will keep three years and one day from the date of the last exit.
The EES system will be gradually introduced in a period of six months (from 12. October 2025. year by 9. April 2026), which will enable the competent authorities, passengers and carriers to adapt to new digital processes. Countries applied by this system can introduce different elements in phases, including collection of biometric data. It is also possible that the operation of the EES is fully or partially suspended at certain border crossings in exceptional circumstances, such as the traffic intensity caused long-waiting intensity.
Total viewed, the implementation of the EES travel will become easier and safer for everyone. Over time, the border crossing will be faster and more efficient, because processing time will shorten, facilitate the management of passenger flow and reduce crowds on terminals.
After the introduction of the EES, the European travel information and authorization system (ETIAS) is expected to start operating in the last quarter of 2026. Years. This new system will also contribute to more efficient and faster border controls, reducing bureaucracy, minor standings for passengers, better security and otherwise more efficient border management.
Ethias does not introduce resolution similar visissements. Passengers from countries enjoying visa-free travel regime, including travelers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, will continue to travel without visa. National EU member states, which do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen space, will request authorization before traveling through a simple website or the mobile application of ETIAS, with the payment of the fee currently 20 euros. Most requests will be processed within minutes. ETIAS Authorization will apply three years or until the current travel document expires, depending on what occurred before.
Detailed information about both systems can be found on the official website travel-europe.europa.eu. The content of the site is monitored by the Directorate General of the European Commission for Migration and Internal Affairs, and explanations can be found on the various aspects of the system, their functioning as well as answers to frequently asked questions that can be useful to passengers.
