European Parliament Approves Phased Rollout of EU Entry/Exit System

New digital border control mechanism aims to streamline travel tracking across the EU’s external borders.

The European Parliament has officially approved the gradual rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES)—a long-anticipated digital border control system designed to modernize how third-country travelers are registered when entering or leaving the European Union.

On July 8, 2025, members of the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor (572 votes) of deploying the EES through a phased approach over a 180-day transition period, starting in fall 2025.

The system’s objective is to digitally monitor travelers from non-EU countries who enter the Schengen area on short-term visas or via visa-free arrangement, the press-service reported.

What Is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The EES is a new automated IT system developed to replace manual passport stamping for non-EU travelers. It will store:

• Full name and document type
• Date and location of border crossing
• Biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints
• Information on visa status and duration of stay

This data will help EU authorities detect overstays, enhance security, and streamline border processing.

Phased Rollout Plan: Key Milestones

To reduce disruption and avoid system overloads, the EU has opted for a step-by-step implementation strategy. Here’s how it will be introduced:

• Day 0 (Launch): System deployment begins (exact date TBD by the European Commission).
• By Day 30, 10% of border crossings must be registered through the EES.
• By Day 90: 35% of all crossings recorded
• By Day 170, 100% of eligible border crossings were logged in the system.

Each EU member state will have the flexibility to decide whether to gradually scale up or switch directly to full registration on day one. The system may temporarily suspend its use if major technical issues or long queues arise during the period.

Legislative Path and Implementation Timeline

• May 19, 2025: The European Parliament and EU Council reached a final legislative agreement.
• Next step: Formal approval by the Council of the EU, followed by publication in the Official Journal
• The regulation will take effect three days after publication.
• Within 30 days, a centralized deployment plan must be finalized.
• Within 60 days, each member state must submit its national deployment strategy.
• The European Commission will then determine the official start date for the 180-day transition period.

The system was initially scheduled to go live in November 2023, but implementation was delayed following concerns from several member states about readiness and infrastructure compatibility.

A Major Step Toward Smarter Borders

The approval of the Entry/Exit System marks a significant evolution in EU border management, aimed at enhancing security, data accuracy, and traveler compliance. With its phased deployment strategy, the EU is prioritizing technical readiness and minimizing disruption at external borders.

For industries such as aviation, border tech, immigration law, and tourism, now is the time to prepare for the operational impact of this system—particularly as biometric infrastructure and legal obligations take center stage in 2025.