The EU’s Entry/Exit System progressively starts operations on 12 October 2025
From 12 October, Member States will start introducing Europe’s new digital border system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), across their external borders. As of this date, Member States will start electronically registering the data of non-EU nationals crossing the EU’s external borders for short stays (90 days in any 180-day period). They will do so progressively, for a period of six months.
During the progressive roll-out, Member States will be able to decide at which Border Crossing Points they will start deploying the system and when. This allows Member States to start benefitting from the new system, whilst ensuring that border authorities, the transport industry and travellers can adjust to the new procedures.
At the end of this period, the EES will be fully deployed at all border crossing points and passport stamping will be replaced with electronic records in the system. It will provide reliable data on border crossings, systematically detect overstayers as well as cases of document and identity fraud.
With the increased use of automated border checks, travelling will become smoother and safer for all. At those border crossing points where the EES is in place, non-EU nationals will have their passport data, biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) and entry or exit data registered in the EES. This is done at the first entry and at the first exit; for each subsequent entry and exit, only a fast verification will be needed. Some countries may decide to further automate their processes with self-service systems. The new system meets the highest standards of data and privacy protection, ensuring that travellers’ personal data remain protected and secure. Passport stamping will continue during the six-month transition period.
Travellers can find up-to-date information and guidance on the official EES website: travel-europe.europa.eu/ees.
Next steps
The EES will be rolled out progressively over a period of 6 months, until 9 April 2026. As of 10 April 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border crossing points and passport stamping will be replaced with electronic records in the system.
Over the coming months, the European Commission and eu-LISA (European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems) will continue to support Member States to ensure the smooth deployment of the system.
Information campaigns and awareness-raising activities at airports and other border crossing points and consulates in third countries are ongoing and will continue over the coming months to guide travellers through the new procedures.
Background
The EES is part of the EU’s Smart Borders package, which aims to improve the management of the EU’s external borders by using state-of-the-art technology and innovative solutions. The package includes the EES, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), and an extended and more harmonised use of the Automated Border Control (ABC) systems utilised by the Member States. Together these systems will facilitate a more efficient, secure, and convenient travel experience for all travellers to and from the EU. Travellers affected by the new rules can, in advance of entering the Schengen area, obtain information about the new procedures on the Official Travel Europe website.
For More Information
Commission Implementing Decision determining the date from which the Entry/Exit System is to start operations
Official Travel Europe website
Entry/Exit System – European Commission
Quote(s)
With the Entry/Exit System, Europe takes a digital leap forward, making external borders smarter, enhancing security while facilitating legitimate travel. By working closely with eu-LISA, Member States and the transport sector, we are delivering a secure, efficient and travel-friendly system that combines cutting-edge technology with Europe’s commitment to safety and innovation.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
The Entry/Exit System is the digital backbone of our new common European migration and asylum framework. With its launch, we are modernising how we manage our external borders. Every person who arrives at an external border will – without exception – undergo identity verification, security screening, and registration in the EU databases. The six-month rollout gives Member States, travelers, and businesses time to transition smoothly to the new procedures.
Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
Statement by Commissioner Várhelyi on World Mental Health Day 2025
World Mental Health Day reminds us that the health of our minds is an essential part of our well-being. Especially the health of our children and young people is the foundation of a strong and resilient society.
Young Europeans today face challenges very different from those of their parents. Rapid digitalisation, constant connectivity, online pressure, and exposure to global challenges all have a deep impact on how they think, feel, and interact. The online world offers enormous opportunities for learning, communication, and creativity – but it also brings new risks that can undermine confidence and self-worth.
That is why mental health must be part of how we prepare young people for their future – as a shared responsibility across education, health, and technology.
Through our comprehensive approach to mental health, the European Commission is supporting Member States and stakeholders to take action. Nearly pound 1.3 billion in EU funding supports 20 flagship initiatives across all ages, with a special focus on children and adolescents.
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day – ‘Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies’ – underlines that provision of health services, even in the most difficult circumstances, is vital to our resilience. This depends first and foremost on the people who deliver those services.
An EU-funded study published by the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe today shows that nearly one in three doctors and nurses experience symptoms of a mental health condition, and one in four doctors works more than 50 hours per week. Pressure is mounting due to shortages of the workforce. Those who care for others must not be left without help themselves.
The EU is supporting investment in good mental health and stronger healthcare services throughout Europe. We are working with Member States to strengthen the health workforce through our EU4Health programme – tackling staff shortages, preventing burnout, and improving working conditions.
Resilient Europe needs strong mental health services. Investment today prepares us for tomorrow’s challenges.
Commission mobilises pound 50 million in emergency support to farmers in Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania
The Commission today adopted a proposal to provide nearly pound 50 million from the agricultural reserve to support fruit, nuts and vegetable farmers in Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania. Farmers in these Member States have recently suffered significant damages from adverse climatic events.
Following approval by Member States, the Commission’s proposal allocates pound 7.4 million to Bulgaria, pound 10.8 million to Hungary, pound 4.2 million to Latvia, pound 1.1 million to Lithuania, pound 14.8 million to Poland and pound 11.5 million to Romania. These countries may complement this EU support by up to 200% with national funds.
Across all six Member States, late frosts, which were in many cases followed by hail or heavy rain, destroyed large parts of the fruit, vegetable, nut and seed harvests
In the spring of 2025, Bulgaria saw unusual weather that started with warm temperatures in February, causing fruit trees to flower too early. Cold and frost which followed in March and April damaged many crops, especially almonds, apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, pears, prunes and walnuts. In Latvia, warm April weather was followed by frost and heavy rain, which ruined fruit trees, berries and vegetables and seed crops such as peas, pumpkins and flax. Lithuania had a similar problem: early warmth made crops grow faster, but later frost in April and May badly damaged apples, currants, berries, cherries, pears and plums. In Hungary, frost in April and May hit nearly the whole country, damaging apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, pears and quinces. Poland faced long frost spells in April and May and then strong hailstorms, which hurt berries, currants, sour cherries and cucumbers. Romania was also affected by late frosts that froze buds and flowers, causing major losses in fruit production.
To ensure this exceptional measure is effective, it is important that beneficiaries rapidly receive the emergency financial support. Payments to farmers for the emergency financial support to Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Romania must be carried out before 30 April 2026.
Background
Under the agricultural reserve as part of the current Common Agricultural Policy (2023-2027), at least pound 450 million per year is available to help farmers cope with market disruptions or exceptional events affecting production or distribution. Given the increasing frequency of adverse climatic events, the Commission has stressed the importance of strengthening risk management tools and promoting their wider use across the EU, alongside proactive measures to address root causes and improve farm resilience in the medium term. With the Commission’s latest simplification proposals, new crisis payments under CAP Strategic Plans will be possible for farmers facing natural disasters. In its proposal for the next CAP (2028-2034), the Commission intends to double the crisis reserve to support the resilience of European farmers and the agri-food sector against market disturbances.
More frequent and extreme weather events, this time impacting farmers from six Member States, highlight the volatility and uncertainty of farmers’ working conditions. Today’s help will bring a little relief to the farmers who lost their crops and their income this year. It is more important than ever to mitigate climate change but also to adapt to it. This week, I visited irrigation projects in Romania and Bulgaria, set up to help farmers cope with recurring drought. The current CAP also contains provisions for crisis and risk management tools, which will be further strengthened in the next CAP. More than ever, we need to think and work together on sustainable solutions.