The European Union's long-delayed digital border control system came into force in October, requiring nationals of all countries from outside the Schengen Area to register and provide biometric data at the border upon arrival.
The Entry-Exit System (EES), which had been due to launch last November, is being rolled out gradually across 29 European countries until April 10, 2026, under the purview of EU internal affairs and migration minister Magnus Brunner.
Along with facial image scans and fingerprints, the EES records passport details, including the date and place of each entry and exit, all of which is stored in a central database. When fully deployed, the system will replace passport stamping, promising to streamline EU border checks and improve security.
It also will make it easier to monitor overstays, with visa-exempt visitors limited to a maximum of 90 days in the region within any 180-day period. This means corporates will have to closely monitor employee travel schedules—and account for and track employees' personal travel to the region—to avoid costly penalties.
Brunner said the EES is "a key part of improving how we manage our external borders" and "will strengthen security in the Schengen Area by helping us identify overstayers, reduce document and identity fraud and prevent crime such as human trafficking."
Two months into the rollout, the system has already recorded more than 10 million entries and exits. Brunner said implementation thus far has been "smooth and well-managed," with the EES currently deployed at more than a quarter of all EU border crossings.
The EES is the precursor to the EU's European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is expected to become operational in late 2026 and, similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization in the U.S., will require visa-exempt, non-EU nationals to obtain an online authorization before entering the bloc.
The ETIAS fee was raised from €7 to €20 earlier this year, a move lambasted by corporate travel groups that said it "risks undermining the competitiveness of European travel and adds friction for visitors."
A spokesperson for Brunner said: "Even at €20, ETIAS remains one of the most affordable travel authorization systems globally. The new fee ensures that ETIAS is properly funded, modern and resilient."
In contrast to the ESTA, which was recently raised to $40 and is valid for two years, an ETIAS authorization is valid for three years, "making the cost lower," the spokesperson said.
"Our aim is not to create friction, but to deliver a system that protects travelers, reinforces the security of our external borders, and ultimately contributes to a more reliable environment for Europe's travel and business sectors," the spokesperson added.