The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.
Source: What is the EES?
You need to provide your personal data each time you reach the external borders of the European countries using the EES. For more information – see What does progressive start of the EES mean?
The EES collects, records and stores:
- data listed in your travel document(s) (e.g. full name, date of birth, etc.)
- date and place of each entry and exit
- facial image and fingerprints (called ‘biometric data’)
- whether you were refused entry.
On the basis of the collected biometric data, biometric templates will be created and stored in the shared Biometric Matching Service (see footnote).
If you hold a short-stay visa to enter the Schengen area, your fingerprints will already be stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) and will not be stored again in the EES.
Depending on your particular situation, the system also collects your personal information from:
- the Visa Information System (which contains additional personal information)
- the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) , in particular the status of your ETIAS travel authorisation and, if applicable, whether you are a family member of an EU national.
[…]
If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry into the territory of the European countries using the EES.
Who can access your personal data?
- Border, visa and immigration authorities in the European countries using the EES for the purpose of verifying your identity and understanding whether you should be allowed to enter or stay on the territory.
- Law enforcement authorities of the countries using the EES and Europol for law enforcement purposes.
- Under strict conditions, your data may be transferred to another country (inside or outside the EU) or international organisation (listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 – a UN organisation, the International Organisation for Migration, or the International Committee of the Red Cross) for return (Article 41(1) and (2), and Article 42) and/or law enforcement purposes (Article 41(6)).
- Transport carriers will only be able to verify whether short-stay visa holders have already used the number of entries authorised by their visa and will not be able to access any further personal data.
[…]
Your data cannot be transferred to third parties – whether public or private entities – except in certain cases. See Who can access your personal data.
[…]
So lots of data collected, and loads of people who can access this data – exceptions are absolutely everywhere. And for what? To satisfy far right fantasies about migration running rampant.
Robin Edgar
Organisational Structures | Technology and Science | Military, IT and Lifestyle consultancy | Social, Broadcast & Cross Media | Flying aircraft