Europe launches new digital border checks under Schengen entry/exit system
UAE travellers advised to allow extra time for biometric registration
DUBAI – Europe has begun a major transformation at its borders. The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaces traditional passport stamping with digital biometric checks, officially went live today.
The change affects all non-EU travellers entering or leaving the 29 Schengen countries, with full implementation expected by 10th April 2026.
For travellers from the UAE and other non-EU countries, this shift means enhanced border security and more efficient tracking – but also potential delays as the system gets underway. Authorities have advised passengers to allow extra time for biometric registration during the initial rollout phase.
What changes from today?
Under the new system, non-EU travellers arriving in the Schengen Area will have their facial image and fingerprints scanned along with passport details. This replaces the old manual passport-stamping process, creating a secure digital record of each entry and exit.
The rollout will occur gradually over six months. Until every checkpoint is upgraded, some border posts may still issue physical stamps. The UAE has already issued advisories urging passengers to arrive early for flights bound for Europe, particularly during the early weeks of implementation.
UAE Traveler, starting 12 October 2025, European Union countries will implement the new Entry/Exit System (EES). The system requires travelers to register their passport details and biometric data (photo and fingerprints) upon their first entry at an EU border crossing.… pic.twitter.com/q266mYdzjS
— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) October 10, 2025
The EES applies to short-stay visitors, both visa-required and visa-exempt, entering for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It does not affect holders of long-stay visas, residence permits, or EU/EFTA family residence cards.
Delays expected
As with any major technology shift, temporary disruption is expected. First-time travellers registering their biometric data may face longer processing times. Airports such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam Schiphol anticipate queues lasting 10-15 minutes per person, though some travel groups have warned of waits up to 45 minutes to an hour during busy periods.
Large airports – including Munich, Rome, and Barcelona – are expected to experience the heaviest congestion due to high passenger volumes. Meanwhile, land borders and ports may take longer to transition fully, with mixed manual and digital systems running in parallel for some time.
Officials have also cautioned that technical glitches, incomplete staff training, or mismatched biometric data could cause additional checks, further slowing the process. However, these issues are expected to ease once the system stabilises and repeat travellers’ data is already on file.
How does this affect Schengen visas?
The new Entry/Exit System operates at border control, not during visa processing. Therefore, Schengen visa procedures remain unchanged under the existing Visa Information System (VIS). However, indirect slowdowns are possible if applicants are required to resubmit or verify their biometric data for consistency.
Smaller consulates might also experience temporary ripple effects if border systems face backlogs. Still, these are considered short-term issues while the EES and related systems synchronise across all participating countries.
What UAE travellers should know
Travellers to France, Germany, and the Netherlands are likely to encounter the longest queues during peak hours when multiple long-haul flights arrive simultaneously. In contrast, smaller Schengen states and Eastern European entry points may experience smoother transitions due to lighter passenger volumes.
Authorities expect the most significant delays to occur between October 2025 and mid-2026, after which returning visitors will move faster thanks to stored biometric records. The upcoming summer travel rush will be the real test of how effectively the system performs under pressure.
To avoid travel disruptions, the following tips are advised:
- Arrive early for flights and immigration checks, especially for your first EES registration.
- Carry printed copies of your visa and passport details.
- Ensure biometric data on your passport matches visa records.
- Check for airline and embassy updates before departure.
- Avoid tight flight connections at major European hubs.
Once your biometric record is stored, future entries will be faster and fully automated. By April 2026, all Schengen air, sea, and land borders will operate entirely digitally, marking the end of passport stamping.
The EES is part of the EU’s broader push toward smart borders, soon to be joined by ETIAS, a pre-travel authorisation system launching in late 2026. Together, they promise to make Europe’s borders more secure and its travel systems more transparent.
For now, passengers can expect some waiting and adjustment. But once the systems settle, travel to Europe – including from the UAE – should become quicker, safer, and far more efficient.