Starting October 12, 2025, the European Union will begin implementing the new Entry/Exit System (EES) in airports across Europe.
The EES is an automated IT system designed to
register non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay,
each time they cross the external borders of participating European countries. The system will record the traveller’s document data, a facial image, and fingerprints. The new system does not apply to Belgian or other EU citizens.
The system will be introduced gradually at airports throughout the European Union and is expected to be fully operational by April 10, 2026. During the rollout phase, travellers entering the EU from non-EU countries should be prepared for longer waiting times at border controls. Since this is an EU-wide system, the point of entry, whether Brussels or any other European airport, will not make a difference in terms of potential queues.
While longer lines are expected in the early stages, the EES is designed to make travel into the EU more efficient in the long term, particularly for frequent travellers.
For the latest information on the rollout and implementation of the EES, please consult the official European Union website: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr##
