Schengen Entry-Exit System: A Complete Guide for Travellers

Come October 12, 2025, travelers going to the Schengen Area will see a considerable change in how border control functions. The customary technique of passport stamping will be supplanted by the more sophisticated Entry/Exit System (EES). This new system is designed to make border control more efficient while improving security, and overhauling travel procedures for non-EU citizens, especially holders of Indian passports.

What is the EES and How Does It Work?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital system designed to capture biometric data from non-EU nationals entering or exiting the Schengen Area. This includes capturing your face photo and fingerprints, which will be stored in a centralised database for future use.

Once travellers cross the border for the first time, their biometric data will be recorded. This data will then be used for future border crossings, making the process quicker. When crossing a border again, passport control officers will verify the biometric data already on file. This should speed up entry, especially for frequent travellers, as they will not need to provide biometric data every time.

What Will Indian Travellers Need to Do?

Indian travellers planning to visit Schengen countries will need to register their biometric data the first time they enter. The process will involve:

• Fingerprint Scanning: Your fingerprints will be captured and stored digitally.
• Facial Photograph: A photo of your face will be taken.
• Data Storage: This biometric data will be stored for future entries and exits.

Once this initial data is recorded, travellers will simply need to verify their information during subsequent trips, making the entry process faster and more efficient.

Automated Features and E-Gates

Several Schengen countries will introduce automated features such as self-service kiosks and e-gates to make the process even quicker. With biometric passports, travellers can pre-enrol their data before arrival and then proceed directly to a border officer for verification. This is expected to drastically reduce wait times and speed up the border control process.

No Change to Visa Application Process

The introduction of the EES will not change the way Indian travellers apply for a Schengen visa. They will still need to go through the regular visa application process, which includes booking an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) like VFS Global for most countries or BLS International for Spain. The EES only affects the border entry process once travellers have been granted a visa or are entering the Schengen Area under a visa-free regime.

Who Will be Affected?

The EES applies to all non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). This means Indian nationals who are visiting for tourism, business, or short visits will be required to undergo biometric registration. However, Indian travellers who hold long-term visas or residence permits for work, study, or family reasons are not affected by the EES.

Why is the EES Being Introduced?

The European Union is implementing the EES to modernise border security and ensure more efficient tracking of non-EU nationals. This system will eliminate the need for physical passport stamps, reducing human error, enhancing security, and helping authorities track any overstays or misuse of visa-free travel privileges. It also allows border control authorities to quickly verify the travel history of individuals.

Full Rollout by April 2026

Although the system is set to launch on October 12, 2025, it will be phased in gradually over a six-month period. Initially, passport stamping will continue alongside the implementation of biometric data collection. The complete transition to the EES is expected by April 2026, at which point all non-EU nationals will be required to provide their biometric information for border entry and exit.

Key Schengen Countries Affected

The EES will be implemented across 29 Schengen countries, including popular destinations like:

• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Germany
• Greece
• Switzerland

If you’re planning to visit any of these countries, be prepared for the new digital entry and exit procedures.

Overview

The recently launched Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new approach to border management within the Schengen Zone and aims to improve the border security as well as the travel experience for non-EU citizens including Indian Travellers. In particular, the collecting of passport stamps will be replaced by biometric data collection which will make the entire entry and exit process faster and more effective. Scheduled to take place on October 12, 2025, Indian passport holders will have to undergo biometric data collection only on the first entry to the Schengen Zone. All subsequent visits will be easier and faster, as the border control operates on biometric data which enhances the travel experience.

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