Overview
- The EES went live on October 12 at selected external border points, with Spain starting at Madrid–Barajas and phased launches in Germany (Düsseldorf) and Italy (Rome and Milan), while Czechia, Estonia and Luxembourg report full readiness.
- The system registers third‑country visitors by taking a photo and fingerprints at first entry and first exit, and Schengen citizens and most residence‑permit holders are exempt with separate lanes.
- Russia’s embassy in Belgium says the system is active at all Belgian entry points and warns of queues due to early glitches, advising travelers to allow extra time for passport control.
- EU plans call for coverage across all Schengen external borders by April 10, 2026, followed by a six‑month transition before passport stamps are fully replaced by electronic records.
- EU authorities say the database will help detect overstays and document or identity fraud, and official guidance notes a non‑biometric passport alone is not grounds for refusal though some states do not accept certain five‑year Russian passports.