The Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement to gradually implement the new Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals entering or leaving the Schengen area. The EES is a digital system that records personal and biometric data to enhance border security, track travel histories, and reduce identity fraud and overstays. To address IT and logistical concerns, the rollout will be phased over six months, with increasing use of biometric features and at least 35% biometric usage by month three. Manual passport stamping will continue during the transition, and member states can temporarily suspend EES use in exceptional cases. The launch date will be set by the European Commission, replacing the previously mandated simultaneous start across all member states. The agreement still requires formal approval from both the Council and the Parliament to become law.

Read the press release here.