New Schengen Entry/Exit System: What UAE Travellers Need to Know.
Travellers heading to Europe’s Schengen Area will soon experience a major change at border controls. Starting October 12, the traditional passport stamping process will be replaced with a new digital Entry/Exit System (EES). This system will register each traveller’s name, travel document type, biometric data (fingerprints and facial image), and entry/exit details securely in a database, in line with EU data protection standards.
Who Will Be Affected?
The EES applies to non-EU travellers visiting the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Citizens of the EU, Schengen residents, and those holding long-stay visas or residence permits are not affected by the new rule.
What Happens at the Border?
During a traveller’s first visit after October 12, border officers will collect personal details, take a photo, and scan fingerprints. This data will be stored in the EES database. For future trips, travellers won’t need to repeat the full process — their entry and exit will be logged automatically using the stored information.
Why the EES Is Being Introduced?
The system aims to:
Speed up border checks by removing manual passport stamping
Enhance security through accurate entry and exit records
Prevent overstaying by automatically tracking the 90-day stay limit
Airline Advisories for UAE Travellers.
Ahead of the rollout, Emirates Airlines issued a notice advising passengers to allow extra time at border checks, especially on their first trip after the system goes live. The airline clarified that EU citizens, Schengen residents, and long-stay visa holders will not be affected.
Similarly, Air Arabia has also released an advisory to inform travellers about the upcoming change.
Full Implementation Timeline.
The new Entry/Exit System will be gradually introduced across all Schengen border points, with full implementation expected by April 2026.
For UAE travellers planning trips to Europe, it’s best to stay informed and plan extra time at airports — especially during your first entry after October 12.