Europe’s New Digital Border System: What Indian Travellers Need to Know

By Daniel October 12, 2025
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Europe is introducing a major digital upgrade to its border control process. Starting 12 October 2025, the European Union (EU) will roll out its new Entry/Exit System (EES), which will digitally record travellers’ fingerprints and facial scans instead of stamping passports. The move marks a historic shift in how non-EU citizens — including Indian travellers — enter and exit the Schengen Area.

The EES will apply to all short-stay visitors from outside the EU, covering both visa-required and visa-exempt nationals. This means that every Indian tourist visiting Europe for up to 90 days within a 180-day period will have their personal details — including biometric data, passport information, and exact entry and exit dates — stored electronically in a secure EU database.

According to EU officials, the system is designed to strengthen border security, reduce waiting times, and eliminate manual passport stamping errors. It will also help authorities track overstays and streamline future entries.

Upon first arrival after the launch, Indian travellers will have their fingerprints and facial image captured at border control. During future visits, automated gates or self-service kiosks at airports and land crossings will use facial or fingerprint recognition to match the data already on record.

Several European countries are also expected to introduce mobile pre-enrolment apps, allowing travellers to upload their details before departure, making the entry process faster. Children under 12 will not need to provide fingerprints but will still undergo the rest of the registration process.

The system will be gradually introduced across the 29 Schengen countries between late 2025 and early 2026. For a few months, traditional passport stamps may still be used as the EES becomes fully operational by April 2026.

Importantly, Indian citizens holding long-stay visas or residence permits for study, work, or family purposes will be exempt, as their movements are already governed by separate EU immigration rules.

The EES forms part of Europe’s broader digital border transformation, alongside the upcoming ETIAS pre-travel authorisation, expected to launch by the end of 2026.

Source: FINANCIAL EXPRESS

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