Contents

How Europe is modernising border checks

The EES represents Europe's move to join other international destinations in automating and digitising their visa and immigration systems. This new system will affect all Australian passport holders and other non-EU travellers visiting any of the 29 Schengen countries.

Gone are the days of manual passport stamps. Instead, the EES will use automated digital registration to record travellers' biometric details—including fingerprints and facial images—when entering or leaving Europe. This shift aims to improve border security, reduce airport wait times, and enhance the overall travel experience.
 

What to expect as a traveller

The good news? There's no cost involved, and no pre-departure preparation required. The EES is completely free for travellers.

The process change: Upon your first trip to Europe after the October rollout, you'll need to register your biometrics at a border kiosk. This one-time registration involves providing fingerprints and having a photo taken. Once completed, your details remain valid for three years.

Where it happens: Registration will take place at the border of any Schengen country, whether you're arriving at airports, ferry ports, Eurostar terminals, or Eurotunnel/Dover facilities.

Travellers should be aware that longer wait times are likely as they arrive to Europe, as the new system is rolled out and travellers are registered on the new system. 
 

The EES paves the way for the ETIAS in 2026 

The EES is setting the foundation for another significant change coming to European travel. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch by the end of 2026. Unlike the EES, ETIAS will require pre-application and involve a fee—similar to systems already in place for destinations like the United States (ESTA) and Australia (ETA). 

Staying ahead of travel changes 

For business travellers and travel managers, staying informed about evolving requirements is crucial for seamless corporate travel planning. The European market remains a vital destination for Australian business, and understanding these changes ensures efficient navigation of new systems. 

If you have any questions or need support planning business travel into Europe (or anywhere else!), get in touch with one of our travel experts. 

You may also be interested in...

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the EES in Europe?

    The EES (Entry/Exit System) is a new digital border control system for Europe's Schengen Area. It replaces manual passport stamping with automated biometric registration, capturing fingerprints and a facial image when non-EU travellers enter or exit the region. It affects all Australian passport holders and other non-EU travellers visiting any of the 29 Schengen countries.

  • When does the EES start in Europe?

    The EES started rolling out from October 12, 2025.

  • How do I apply for the EES to travel to Europe?

    You don't need to apply in advance — there's no form, portal, or pre-departure step. The EES isn't an application you lodge before your trip; it's an automated registration that happens at the border itself, the first time you travel to Europe after the rollout.

  • How do I register for the EES / get an EES for Europe?

    Registration happens in person at the border on your first trip after the rollout. At a border kiosk, you'll provide fingerprints and have a photo taken. It's a one-time process — once you're registered, your biometric details stay valid for three years, so you won't need to repeat it on every trip.

  • What do I need to do for the EES in Europe?

    Nothing before you travel. There's no cost and no pre-departure preparation required. Simply follow the kiosk instructions at the border on your first trip after October 2025 to complete your one-time biometric registration.

  • Where does EES registration happen?

    At the border of any Schengen country — this includes airports, ferry ports, Eurostar terminals, and Eurotunnel/Dover facilities.

  • Does the EES apply when leaving Europe, or just on entry?

    Both. The EES records travellers' biometric details on entry and exit, so you'll go through the system when leaving Europe as well as arriving.

  • Is there a cost to get the EES for Europe?

    No, the EES is completely free for travellers.

  • Should I expect delays because of the EES?

    Possibly. As the system rolls out and travellers complete registration for the first time, longer wait times are likely at the border, particularly in the early stages.

  • How is the EES different from the ETIAS?

    The EES is an automated biometric registration system with no fee and no pre-application, done at the border itself. The ETIAS, expected by the end of 2026, works differently — it will require online pre-application and a fee before you travel, similar to the US ESTA or Australia's ETA.

  • Is the EES the same as the UK's ETA scheme?

    No, they're separate systems. The EES applies to Schengen Area entry, while the UK operates its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for entry into the UK. See our guide to the UK ETA visa waiver for details.

  • Does the EES affect what I can pack or carry?

    No, the EES relates to border entry/exit processing, not baggage rules. If you're travelling to the EU, it's worth checking current EU luggage rules separately.

  • What should business travellers do to prepare for the EES?

    Build extra time into airport transfers and itineraries, especially in the months following the October 2025 rollout, and stay across upcoming changes like the ETIAS. For tailored guidance, get in touch with one of our travel experts.