New European Border Control System

After several postponements, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will come into force on 12 October 2025 and will be rolled out progressively.
It will have a concrete impact at Genève Aéroport, where several self-service registration kiosks have been installed.

What is the EES?

The EES (Entry/Exit System) is an automated IT system that records third-country nationals traveling for short stays each time they cross the external borders of European countries using this system.

In the EES framework:

• A “third-country national” is a traveler who is not a citizen of an EU country, nor of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
• A “short stay” is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period, counted across all participating European countries

1. Modernizing border controls: replacing passport stamps with a digital system to record entries and exits
2. Faster border crossing: reduced waiting times thanks to self-service kiosks and quicker checks
3. Preventing irregular immigration: tracking entries and exits using biometric data to prevent overstays or identity fraud
4. Strengthening security: providing border guards and law enforcement with better access to traveler information

Upon arrival at Genève Aéroport from a non-Schengen country:

1. Self-service registration
   Travelers from third countries must first register individually at self-service kiosks, similar to systems already used in countries like Canada or the United States.
   Staff will be available nearby to assist if needed.
2. Border control check
   The traveler then proceeds to a border control officer to register biometric data (fingerprints and facial image).

This electronic registration replaces the manual passport stamp.

Data retention

Passenger data will be stored for three years.
On subsequent entries into the Schengen area, travelers will not need to register again, as their data will already be in the system. However, they must still present their passport to an immigration officer.

The EES collects:

• Personal data from the travel document (full name, date of birth, nationality)
• Dates and places of entry and exit within the 29 participating European countries
• Biometric data (facial image and/or fingerprints)
• Information on any refusal of entry, if applicable

For more information and other questions:

• EES - Entry/Exit System (EES)
• https://travel-europe.europa.eu/fr/ees/faq##