EU’s New Border Control Systems Set for 2025 Launch, Dover Chief Confirms November Timeline

The EES will digitize border crossings by replacing manual passport stamping with electronic registration of entries and exits. The system will record biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, from non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

To reduce disruption, the EU plans a gradual rollout. The system will first operate at 10 percent of border crossings in each member state, with passport stamping continuing alongside electronic recording during the initial launch period.

The implementation follows previous delays due to technical issues, and comes after the recent discontinuation of Eurostar’s SmartCheck biometric system in preparation for the new EU e-gates.

For travelers, the changes mean exiting vehicles at ports for biometric registration, providing fingerprints and facial scans, with the biometric data remaining valid for three years or until passport renewal.

The Port of Dover is expanding its infrastructure to accommodate new registration areas, though officials caution about possible traffic delays during the initial implementation phase.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a complementary pre-screening system for travelers, is scheduled to launch approximately six months after the full EES rollout, likely in 2026. This schedule supports the EU’s digital transformation efforts, including the proposed digital passport app for Schengen travel.

These new systems are part of a broader modernization of EU border management, with similar biometric requirements being implemented across member states, as shown by Italy’s recent introduction of biometric requirements for long-term Schengen visas.