The European Parliament has approved significant changes to border control procedures for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area, clearing the path for the implementation of the new Entry/Exit System (EES). The measure passed decisively in a plenary vote on July 9, 2025, with 572 votes in favor, 42 against, and 67 abstentions.
The EES will replace manual passport stamping with a digital system that records biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints, along with travel document details and records of entries and exits. This is a major shift in how the Schengen Area manages border security and tracks the duration of authorized stays for non-EU visitors.
Under the approved timeline, the system will be gradually introduced over a 180-day period. It must be operational at 10 percent of designated border crossing points within the first 30 days, expand to at least 35 percent by day 90, and reach full coverage of 100 percent of border posts by day 170. The European Commission will announce the official start date once the EU Council gives final approval and the regulation is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Modernizing Border Security Across the EU
The EES will integrate with the EU’s broader border management infrastructure, including the Schengen Information System II (SIS II), which facilitates data sharing among member states for law enforcement and security purposes. This integration is part of the EU’s wider strategy to improve border security and manage migration more effectively across the Schengen Area.
The system’s launch follows several delays. Initially planned for 2023, the EES rollout was postponed multiple times due to technical challenges and differing readiness levels among member states. The European Commission has committed to conducting an information campaign to prepare travelers for the new procedures, with messaging tailored to specific conditions at various border crossings. The European Data Protection Board’s Coordinated Supervision Committee has also previously encouraged such outreach efforts, emphasizing the importance of informing travelers about how their data will be processed and protected under the new system.
Concerns Over Travel Disruption
While the EES is intended to streamline border checks and enhance security, some officials remain cautious about potential disruptions during the initial rollout. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly raised concerns that the system could lead to significant congestion at St Pancras International, the Eurostar terminal connecting the United Kingdom to continental Europe, warning of possible “huge queues” and delays.
Despite these concerns, EU authorities emphasize that the EES will ultimately simplify border procedures, reduce the risk of overstays, and improve overall security. The system’s biometric verification is designed to ensure accurate identification of travelers while facilitating faster, automated border crossings once fully operational.
Travelers entering the Schengen Area will be required to provide biometric data as part of the process. Although authorities expect procedures to become more efficient over time, passengers should be prepared for possible delays during the transition period as border agents and travelers adjust to the new technology.
Sources: The Economic Times, Visit Ukraine
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By Cass Kennedy
