This Unexpected European Country Will Be The First To Implement The New Entry/Exit System

The much delayed Entry-Exit System (EES) comes into effect across most of Europe on October 12, 2025, but not all countries will implement it at the same time, as the final transition deadline is set for April 10, 2026. The new system will automatically register third-country nationals — anyone who isn't an EU citizen — each time they cross an external border of any of the 29 Schengen Area countries, including non-EU members Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Originally scheduled for November 2024, the system faced multiple delays, highlighting the complexity of coordinating a continent-wide digital border system. The EES will collect biometric data and track entry and exit dates across all participating European countries, some of which are better equipped than others for a quick transition. Technical challenges, infrastructure upgrades, and the need to train thousands of border officials contributed to the postponements, with one country being well-positioned to take the lead. According to The Independent, which surveyed the readiness of participating countries, the authorities of Estonia said that all their border controls will switch to the EES system on October 12.

The EES lays the groundwork for a second interconnected system, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This online platform will require Americans and other visa-exempt travelers to obtain prior travel authorization before visiting Europe. This step may make travel just a little more expensive for Americans planning a European vacation after its expected launch in late 2026.

Tech-savvy Estonia's experience with digital government identity solutions positioned it well to handle the EES rollout promptly. Other countries are also announcing rollouts as of October 12, so it's likely that when you travel in the coming months, you may encounter both the old and new system running in parallel. The EES applies to all non-EU citizens, whether or not required to hold a visa, and it'll greet you not only at airports but also if you're arriving by water or ground transportation.

The Interior Ministry of Croatia confirmed that the EES will be fully operational and gradually implemented as of October 12 in the country, as reported by Croatia Week. The German government in turn announced that the first location to implement the EES from day one will be Düsseldorf, followed by Frankfurt and Munich within the next six months.

The EES will fundamentally change the European entry experience for American travelers. European passport stamps are coming to an end. Instead, you'll go through a more comprehensive registration process during your first entry after the system launches. Be patient during the initial rollout period. Providing biometric data, including fingerprint scanning and a facial image, will become the new normal when visiting Europe, and be stored in the system for three years.

Even in tech-savvy Estonia, introducing a new system of this magnitude will likely involve growing pains. The good news? This is typically a one-time registration process, so subsequent entries should be faster, using automated e-gates, although until the EES fully rolls out, depending on destination, you may still get the old-fashioned passport check. The new system is also expected to provide an online tool to automatically track your days in the Schengen Area, ending the confusion about the complex 90-day rule.