How Europe's Digital Entry/Exit System (EES) Will Affect Indians And Other Travellers

Starting 12 October 2025, non-EU nationals travelling to Europe will experience a new form of digital border control. The European Union's long-planned Entry/Exit System (EES) will come into force. It has been designed to eventually replace the decades-old practice of manually stamping passports at Schengen and other EU external borders. The change is part of the EU's broader agenda to modernise border security, reduce illegal overstays, and tackle identity fraud more effectively. If you're an Indian traveller visiting Europe for tourism, business or transit, here's what you need to know:

EES Border System In EU: How Does It Work?

A key requirement for EES is biometric and digital data collection.

• Travellers will need to submit fingerprints and facial images.
• Other personal data, like name, travel document number, dates and places of entry/exit, and any refused entries, will also be recorded.
• Children under 12 years of age will not be required to give fingerprints, only facial photos.
• If you're travelling to the EU, on your first visit after the start date, you'll have to provide your biometric data.
• On subsequent visits (if within the validity of your record), you will undergo verification rather than full data collection.
• The manual stamping of passports on entry and exit will be phased out over six months. Thus, until EES is fully operational, some border points will continue stamping passports.

The EES applies to all non-EU nationals, including international visa holders and visa-exempt travellers. The system will become active from 12 October 2025. Full implementation across all external border points of the EU is expected by April 2026.

Also Read: Heading To Europe? Stay Alert To Avoid Tourist Fines At These 8 Popular Destinations

EES Border System In EU: What Will Change For Travellers

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On arriving at a Schengen-area country or other EU country with external border crossings, you'll be required to give fingerprints and have a photo taken at dedicated booths or via self-service kiosks. Biometric checks will also be applied when exiting. The record created in EES is valid for three years, as per reports.

As with any new system, queues are likely to lengthen in the early weeks or months. Border authorities expect that processing times will be longer initially. Over time, more self-service kiosks, dedicated booths, and automated border gates (for those with biometric passports) are expected to ease the burden, according to reports. These are meant to reduce manual handling and speed up the process. Over time, EES aims at reducing disputes about overstay, lost or unclear stamps, and helps in verifying return travellers. This also helps strengthen border security.

EES Border System In EU: Practical Tips For Indian Travellers

• Carry a biometric passport: These may allow access to automated gates, speeding up entry/exit.
• Arrive with ample time: Especially for your first entry post-October 2025, expect extra checks. Plan itineraries accordingly.
• Maintain all travel documents handy: Passport, visas, previous travel history, boarding passes, etc., in case verification or identity proof is needed.
• Be prepared for face/ fingerprint capture: Cameras and fingerprint scanners will be standard.
• Familiarise with Schengen stay rules: Even though EES helps track entry and exit more precisely, the rule that non-EU residents may stay at most 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area remains in force.

Also Read: 6 European Destinations You Can Explore Without Schengen Visa

What About ETIAS And Related Systems?

Following the EES rollout, the EU also expects to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will require visa-exempt travellers to obtain authorisation before travel, with additional data collection and a fee. Keep an eye out for its official start date announcements.

From October 2025, travelling to Europe will involve more digital steps, especially biometric registration, for Indian and other non-EU citizens. While the initial experience may be slower, the systems are designed to make future travel more predictable and secure. Indian travellers are advised to prepare in advance to ensure a smooth journey.