Germany will launch the European Entry/Exit System (EES) on 12 October at Düsseldorf Airport. The system will gradually be rolled out across all German air and sea borders and will become fully operational on 9 April 2026.
Starting in Düsseldorf, Expanding Nationwide
The German Federal Ministry of the Interior announced that the first phase of the European Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin at Düsseldorf Airport. The system will then be extended via Frankfurt am Main and Munich airports.
The ministry stated that all external air and sea borders are expected to be integrated into the system by April 2026.
Safer Border Crossings with Biometric Data
EES will centrally and digitally record the entries and exits of third-country nationals from outside the Schengen area.
Data stored in the system will include:
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Alphanumeric information such as name and date of birth
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Four fingerprints and a facial image
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Time and place of border crossing
This will make it easier to detect identity fraud and unauthorised extensions of stay.
No Changes for EU Citizens
Authorities emphasised that the introduction of EES will not affect the travel process for EU citizens.
The system’s launch had been postponed from November 2024 to 2026 due to technical infrastructure challenges.
Digital Border Management in Europe
As one of the cornerstones of the EU’s security and migration management policies, EES aims to digitalise travel procedures, providing faster and safer border controls.
