Consequences of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES)

As of October 2025, all non-EU citizens travelling to the European Union (EU) — except residents of the Schengen Zone — must go through the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). This system significantly changes how short-stay entries are monitored and adds complexity to EU travel. Visitors must either pre-register via the “Travel to Europe Mobile Application” before arrival or register at border kiosks upon entering the Schengen area. Registration requires scanning the passport, taking a photograph, and capturing fingerprint data. Once completed, travellers’ entry and exit dates are tracked electronically rather than relying on traditional passport stamp records.

The EES applies to a broad group of travellers: not only those needing a visa, but also visa-exempt travellers from countries such as the US, UK and Canada — even children must comply, due to differences in biometric data (children’s passports may lack fingerprints and rely on facial recognition). The EES is part of a broader trend of advanced border-registration systems globally (for example the US’s ESTA, the UK’s ETA) and that the EU intends to implement the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in 2026 — a further pre-travel registration requirement. This development might signal a decline in “freedom of travel” in Europe. With this new system, faster, smooth travel is becoming harder and third country travellers should prepare for increased formalities.

For those seeking to avoid EES registration, obtaining EU residency can be a viable route as non-EU citizens who become residents are exempt from EES. There are straightforward ways to get that international protection, just to mention a few options: company formation, residency by investment programs or family reunification. Various EU countries (Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Cyprus, and possibly soon Romania) offer investment-based residency options. If you want to know more about these options, contact us today