The EU is implementing a new digital border system, set to revolutionize border control and immigration processes across the bloc. This system, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), will replace traditional passport stamping with digital records, marking a significant shift in how non-EU citizens are processed at external borders. The EES will be rolled out over six months, starting on October 12, 2025, and will be fully operational by April 10, 2026. The system aims to enhance border security, detect overstayers, combat identity fraud, and prevent illegal migration. It will require non-EU citizens to register their personal details upon entering the Schengen area, which includes all EU member countries except Ireland and Cyprus, as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Subsequent journeys will only require facial biometric verification. The EES will be introduced at various UK ports, including the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone, and the Eurostar terminal at London's St Pancras International. Initially, freight and coach traffic will undergo EES checks, followed by passenger vehicles in November at Dover and by the end of the year at Eurotunnel. The Eurostar will gradually introduce the new process, starting with business travelers from October 12, 2025. The UK and EU share a common goal of securing borders, and these modernization measures are expected to enhance citizen protection and illegal migration prevention.
