Non-EU visitors to Schengen Area must register biometrically at borders

#BREAKING | Starting today, non-EU visitors to the Schengen Area must undergo biometric registration, which includes facial photos and fingerprints, at external borders as the EU"s Entry/Exit System (EES) goes live. This digital overhaul replaces manual passport stamps to enhance security, track overstays, and streamline future travel through self-service kiosks.

The EES applies to short-stay visitors, defined as those staying up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Data collected will be stored for three years, or five years in cases of refusals. Travelers should anticipate initial delays at airports and ports as the new system is implemented and are urged to prepare accordingly.

This change marks a significant shift in the way border control operates in the Schengen Area, aiming to improve efficiency and security for travelers. For more on related coverage, see recent developments in immigration policies.