The European Commission has confirmed that starting October 12, the European Union will launch the long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES)—a sweeping digital overhaul of how the bloc tracks border crossings by third-country nationals. The system will gradually replace the traditional practice of stamping passports, promising faster and more secure travel while clamping down on overstays and identity fraud.
The EES will cover all Schengen Area countries, which includes non-EU states such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Ireland and Cyprus, however, are excluded due to their retention of internal border controls. According to EU officials, the system’s main goal is to tighten border security while improving efficiency. Border agents and law enforcement authorities will gain real-time access to data such as fingerprints, facial images, and travel details. This will allow for more precise identification of travelers and immediate detection of those exceeding their permitted stay.
Implementation of the EES will be gradual. Beginning in October, the system will be introduced across the Schengen Zone over a six-month period. By the end of that timeframe, all participating countries are expected to have it fully operational. The digital infrastructure will record not only entries and exits but also any refusals at the border, eliminating the need for manual checks and passport stamps. In addition to streamlining passenger movement, the system will automatically calculate the length of permitted stays for each visitor, helping to enforce EU rules.
Poland has already announced its full readiness for the rollout. The country played a key role in shaping the project during its EU Council presidency and passed national legislation in 2024 to authorize its participation in the EES. Officials from Polish Airports (PPL) have confirmed that the necessary infrastructure is already in place at airports across the country. Systems have been tested, personnel trained, and all technical requirements met.
Maciej Lasek, the government’s commissioner for Poland’s Solidarity Transport Hub (CPK), said the EES represents a significant leap forward in European border control. He emphasized that the system not only boosts traveler safety but also increases efficiency by reducing identity fraud and easing the workload at border checkpoints. “Poland is ready. Now it’s up to the rest of Europe to keep pace,” Lasek said.
The EES is part of the European Commission’s broader Smart Borders package. It works in tandem with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is set to go live soon. ETIAS will require travelers from visa-exempt countries to register online before entering the EU. The objective is to screen individuals for security risks before they even reach the border.
As the date of the launch nears, the move away from ink-stamped passports marks a significant cultural and technological shift for Europe. With growing concerns around migration, terrorism, and cross-border crime, the European Union is betting that digital tools like EES will offer the balance between open travel and tightened control that today’s world demands.
