The Entry/Exit System (EES) has started: progressive roll-out from 12 October 2025

According to the European Commission's news item of 13 October 2025, the 29 participating countries began deploying the EES at their external borders on 12 October. At the first entry or exit, a facial image and fingerprints are taken in addition to passport data; some countries are also putting self-service kiosks into operation.

The roll-out is progressive: according to the Council of the European Union's press release of 11 October 2025, Member States could start the system at certain border crossing points and with limited functionalities, and must reach full operation by 10 April 2026. The system gives authorities real-time information on whether travellers have respected their authorised period of stay and helps to detect identity fraud. From full operation, the stamping of passports is replaced by the electronic record.

According to the eu-LISA agency, Member States connected to the system progressively throughout 12 October: some deployed it fully, others introduced it gradually. The system records the name, travel document data, nationality and the time and place of the border crossing; the biometric identifiers are the facial image and four fingerprints.