The European Union has officially launched its long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES), marking a significant change in border security and travel across Europe. This new system, which collects biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans from non-EU travelers, aims to enhance security by better tracking who enters and exits the Schengen Zone. It also helps monitor travelers' length of stay to prevent overstays. While the entry rules remain unchanged, the new technology promises faster, more efficient border processing, creating a smoother travel experience in the long term.

As of October 12, the European Union's long-anticipated Entry/Exit System (EES) has officially launched, bringing significant changes to border security protocols for travelers to Europe. After years of preparation and several delays, the EU is rolling out this new system across the 29 countries that make up the Schengen Area. The EES aims to better track the entry and exit of third-country nationals -- those who are not citizens of the EU or associated Schengen countries -- by collecting biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans.

While the rules governing who can enter Europe remain unchanged, travelers will notice a different process at border crossings. Here's everything travelers need to know about the new system.

The Entry/Exit System is designed to monitor the travel of third-country nationals as they enter and exit the Schengen Zone, which includes all EU countries except Ireland and Cyprus, as well as Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. It functions similarly to the U.S. system that tracks visitors arriving in the country.

With the EES, each time a traveler enters or exits the Schengen area, their fingerprints and a facial image will be collected, alongside basic passport information and travel details. The system aims to enhance security, identify potential criminals, prevent illegal border crossings, and monitor how long visitors stay within the Schengen Zone.

A key aspect of the system is that visitors from outside the EU can only stay within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. To help enforce this rule, self-service kiosks are already in place at various border crossings across the bloc, allowing travelers to register easily.

For travelers arriving in Europe after the launch, the border process will take a bit longer than usual. Initially, travelers will need to register by having their fingerprints and photo taken, and their passport scanned at either a self-service kiosk or at the immigration desk.

Once the initial registration is completed, future crossings will be faster. Automated gates and facial-recognition systems will match travelers' faces with the data previously stored, allowing for quicker and more seamless processing on return visits.

While the system officially goes live on October 12, its implementation across the Schengen Area will be gradual. Each participating country has the flexibility to decide where and how to implement the system, but at least one border crossing in every Schengen member state will be operational by today.

Over the next six months, more airports, seaports, and land crossings will start using the EES. Travelers may still receive passport stamps during the transition period, but by April 2026, these physical stamps will be completely phased out as the system becomes fully operational.

During this transition, there are specific benchmarks to track progress. Within 30 days of implementation, at least 10% of travelers should be processed through the system. By 90 days, that figure will rise to 35%. After 150 days, 50% of travelers must be registered, with the system expected to be fully in place by April 9, 2026, when every traveler entering or leaving the Schengen area will be processed through the EES.

As part of the EES, travelers will be required to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, upon entering the Schengen Zone. Border officials will also record other personal details from travelers' passports, such as their full name, date of birth, and passport number. Additionally, details about when and where a traveler enters and exits the Schengen area will be stored, and in cases of denied entry, the fact will be logged in the system.

Travelers may also be asked a few simple questions regarding their accommodation arrangements and financial means to ensure that they have the resources to support their stay.

Your biometric data will be securely stored for a period of three years as part of the EES. The system adheres to strict privacy and data protection regulations set by the EU. If you don't travel again within that three-year window, you will need to re-register your details during your next trip.

For children under the age of 12, fingerprints will not be required, but their photo and passport information will still be recorded.

With the new Entry/Exit System now in place, travelers should prepare for a slightly longer wait at immigration upon their first trip to Europe under the system. Although this new technology may lead to short-term delays, the EES is designed to streamline future travel by creating a more efficient and secure system that operates entirely digitally.

As the system continues to roll out and becomes fully operational, it will ensure smoother crossings and greater security for travelers and European authorities alike. The EU's Entry/Exit System marks the beginning of a new era in border control, making travel to Europe both safer and more efficient in the long term.

New EU Border Control Breakthrough: Entry/Exit System To Enhance Security, Boost Efficiency, And Simplify Travel For Millions - Travel And Tour World