The EU EES system becomes operational. It applies to citizens from outside the EU who travel in the Schengen Area.

Starting from Friday, April 10, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) of the European Union will become fully operational, requiring digital fingerprints and photographs along with passport scanning. The EES, gradually introduced from October 12, 2025, aims to modernize border control and facilitate travel in the 29 countries of the Schengen Area.

Although the system will be activated at all border crossing points, not all European airports, such as those in Milan and Lisbon, will implement the EES from the start. Experts warn that IT issues may cause delays and long queues for travelers. The EES applies to non-EU citizens, including those from the United Kingdom, traveling for short stays of up to 90 days.

This will replace the current passport stamping system by border officers. According to the European Commission, since the implementation of the EES, over 24,000 individuals have been refused entry into the EU due to improper documents or security risks.