Overview

• From 12 October, the Entry/Exit System will create a digital record of non‑EU travellers using facial images, fingerprints and passport data to help enforce the 90‑days‑in‑180‑days rule and detect overstays.
• The rollout is staged over roughly 180 days, passport stamping will continue during the transition, and full deployment is expected by April 2026.
• Readiness varies: the Czech Republic, Estonia and Luxembourg plan day‑one registration of all relevant travellers, Germany starts with Düsseldorf airport, and Spain begins testing with an early‑morning flight at Madrid‑Barajas on 12 October.
• UK juxtaposed controls at Dover, Eurotunnel Folkestone and London St Pancras will collect biometrics before departure for travellers asked to register.
• Registrations are free, records remain valid for three years, children 11 and under are exempt from fingerprinting, and the scheme is separate from the ETIAS travel authorisation planned for a later date.