What Groups Need to Know About the New EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
Starting October 12, 2025, the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) brings sweeping changes to border control procedures for non‑EU travelers entering Schengen countries (a group of 29 European countries (including France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, and others) that have abolished internal border checks for easier movement between member nations).
What Is the EES, and When Does It Begin?
The Entry/Exit System is an automated biometric border-control mechanism replacing manual passport stamping across most Schengen external borders. It officially launches on October 12, 2025, with full implementation expected by April 10, 2026—until then border checks will transition in phases and traditional passport stamps may still be issued.
Key Details Groups Should Know:
Who It Applies To
EES applies to non‑EU nationals—this includes U.S., UK, Canadian, Australian passport holders, and similarly categorized short-stay visitors to Schengen countries. Exemptions include EU/EFTA citizens, long-stay visa holders, students and researchers with specific permissions, and immediate family members of EU nationals.
What Biometric Data Is Collected
At the first point of entry after the EES launch, each traveler must register:
- Passport data
- A facial photograph
- Up to four fingerprints (children under 12 provide only the photo)
This information gets stored in a central EU database for up to three years.
How It Changes Border Procedures
- No more automatic stamping once fully adopted (from April 2026)
- Subsequent entries use the digital biometric record for faster processing
- Initial visit post-October 2025 may take longer, but future crossings should streamline significantly.
What This Means for Groups:
Entrance & Exit Timing
Your first border crossing, whether via airport, train, or ferry, will involve EES registration. Coaches, chaperones, and group leaders should factor in an extra 5–10 minutes per person during that session as staff capture biometrics.
Departure and Re-entry Considerations
If your group moves between Schengen countries, you’ll no longer get passport stamps. Make sure each traveler monitors accumulated time in the 90-day limit if your itinerary includes multiple crossings over several weeks.
Coordination Tips
- Encourage passport readiness! Blank pages are less of a concern since stamps may disappear, but document clarity matters
- Provide drivers/chaperones with group lists including passport numbers to help officers
- Prepare travelers for increased wait times during launch season, particularly at ports that require juxtaposed border checks (e.g., Port of Dover or London St Pancras for Eurostar).
How to Prepare Your Group for EES:
- Inform everyone in your group well in advance (e.g. in pre-trip orientation) about the now-required biometrics process.
- Factor in buffer time at first entry points and when returning from any excursion crossing the Schengen border.
- Keep travel documents organized, make sure passports are valid and accessible; each traveler should bring their own.
- Plan for possible slowdowns during launch months, especially at ferry or train terminals where new systems are being installed.
Final Tips for Group Leaders:
- Brief your travelers on EES ahead of travel: what to expect, how it works, and why it’s changing.
- Update your tour logistics plan to include extra minutes at first-entry points.
- Ensure no traveler refuses registration, denying to provide biometrics will result in denied entry.
- Manage traveler data carefully, especially for minors and travelers needing special circumstances; ensure compliance with data privacy rules.
By planning ahead and knowing how EES works, groups can confidently navigate Europe’s new border system without disruption. At Contemporary Tours, we stay up to date on travel policy shifts like this, and we’ll help you integrate these new requirements into your itinerary planning for seamless group travel.
More information can be found here: EES – EES Homepage
