EU to roll out biometric Entry/Exit System across borders from April 10

The European Union will fully implement its new Entry/Exit System (EES) across all external borders from April 10, 2026, marking a major overhaul in the way non-EU nationals are recorded when crossing into and out of the bloc.

According to information reported by a correspondent from European Pravda, the rollout was confirmed by Arianna Podesta, deputy spokesperson for the European Commission.

Podesta said the system’s initial deployment has proceeded successfully, with more than 45 million entries and exits registered over the past five months. During the same period, authorities recorded around 24,000 refusals of entry, of which more than 600 individuals were assessed as posing a security risk to the EU.

The EES is designed to replace manual passport stamping with an automated digital process, capturing biometric data and travel details to improve border management and security. Officials say the average time required to register a traveller’s entry or exit is approximately 70 seconds.

The Commission has described EES as one of the most advanced border IT systems globally. However, Podesta noted that several EU member states are still encountering technical challenges, with ongoing coordination and exchange of best practices aimed at resolving operational issues.

The system also includes built-in flexibility to manage peak travel periods. Authorities will be able to temporarily suspend biometric registration in cases of excessive waiting times, particularly during the busy summer season through September, in order to maintain smooth passenger flow at border checkpoints.

By Aghakazim Guliyev