Starting 12 October 2025, the European Union (EU) will implement a new Entry/Exit System (EES) at the borders of the Schengen Area. This new system will replace manual passport stamping with a digital record of each traveller’s entry and exit, capturing basic travel information as well as biometric data, including fingerprints and a facial image.
The EES will apply to Australian passport holders and other non-EU/Schengen nationals travelling to or from the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Upon their first arrival, travellers will have their biometric data and passport details collected by border authorities, and this information will be securely stored in the EES database.
For subsequent visits, travellers’ data will already be stored in the system, and only their entry and exit will be recorded digitally. EU citizens, Schengen residents, and those holding long-stay visas or residence permits are not affected by this change. Travellers are advised to allow additional time for border checks, particularly on their first trip after the EES is implemented.
For further details, feel free to reach out to us.
