The European Union has launched its new Entry/Exit System (EES), fundamentally changing how Indian travelers will enter Schengen countries.
What is EES?
The Entry/Exit System is an automated IT system that:
- Records entry and exit dates electronically
- Captures biometric data (fingerprints, facial image)
- Replaces manual passport stamping
- Tracks 90/180-day stay limits automatically
Rollout Timeline
| Phase | Date |
|---|---|
| Launch | October 2025 |
| Transition period | 6 months |
| Full implementation | April 2026 |
How It Affects Indian Travelers
First Visit After EES Launch
Your first entry will take longer as officials:
- Scan your passport
- Capture facial image
- Take 4 fingerprints
- Register in the system
Subsequent Visits
Future entries will be faster:
- Quick biometric verification
- No manual document checks
- Automatic stay calculation
Benefits of the New System
- No overstay risk - System tracks your 90-day limit automatically
- Faster repeat travel - Biometrics speed up border crossing
- No stamp confusion - Clear digital record of entries/exits
- Cascade visa benefits - Good travel history = longer validity visas
The Schengen Cascade System
EES works with the new visa cascade:
| Travel History | Next Visa Validity |
|---|---|
| 2 visas used in 3 years | 2-year multi-entry |
| 2-year visa used well | 5-year multi-entry |
What to Prepare
- Ensure passport has blank pages for any emergency stamps
- Allow extra time for first entry after October 2025
- Keep digital copies of travel documents
- Download the EU EES app when available