A phased rollout of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin at Schengen borders on 12 October 2025. While border processing may take longer than usual, the system will be introduced gradually over a six-month period.
Who is covered by the EES?
If you’re a non-EU or non-Schengen national travelling to or from the Schengen Area for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), the EES applies to you.
- The 29 members of the Schengen Area:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
What is the EES?
The EES replaces the manual passport-stamping process with a digital record of your entry and exit, including basic travel details and biometric data (such as fingerprints and a facial image).
When you first arrive, border officers will collect your biometric data along with your passport details, which will then be stored securely in the EES database.
On future visits, you won’t need to repeat the full process — your data will already be in the system, and your entry/exit will be recorded automatically.
Possible delays
Eurotunnel estimates the new process will take around two minutes extra per passenger — significantly longer than the current manual check. Delays are therefore possible, especially at peak travel times.
What’s next — ETIAS in 2026
The EES is also laying the groundwork for ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System — essentially the EU’s version of the U.S. ESTA — which is expected to launch in late 2026.
What this means for visitors from the UAE?
Because the EES is being phased in gradually, I don’t expect widespread, major delays in the early months.
That said, if you’re arriving in Europe on a full A380 from Dubai or Abu Dhabi during the peak holiday season, it’s worth being prepared for longer queues at passport control.
For more details, visit the official EU EES information page.