Key Takeaways: The EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) has processed 17 million travelers since October 2024, leading to 16,000 entry refusals. Over 4,000 of these were for overstaying the 90/180-day rule. The system is on track for full mandatory use by April, despite some technical teething troubles reported at national borders.
Since its launch on October 12th, 2024, the European Union's digital border revolution has begun in earnest. A top European Commission official has revealed that the Entry/Exit System (EES) has already registered roughly 17 million travelers across 30 million border crossings.
Henrik Nielsen, the Commission's Director for Schengen, borders and visa, told the European Parliament that this period also saw around 16,000 refusals of entry into the Schengen Area.
A New Era of Enforcement
A significant portion of these refusals—"a bit more than 4,000"—were directly linked to visitors breaching the 90/180-day rule. This rule allows visa-free nationals (like those from the UK, USA, and Australia) to stay in the Schengen zone for 90 days within any 180-day period.
Previously tracked by inconsistent passport stamps, the EES now automatically calculates stays. Overstayers are instantly flagged the next time they try to enter.
Other refusals were due to:
- Identity fraud
- Attempts to enter or exit using multiple passports
- Use of false documents
The system also successfully identified a victim of trafficking, highlighting its security functions.
The Road to Full Implementation
The EES rollout is gradual, with full operation expected from April 10th, 2025. Member states currently must register at least 35% of all crossings. This requirement will rise to 50% by March 10th and reach 100% by April.
Key changes coming in April include:
- The end of manual passport stamping.
- The launch of an online tool for travelers to check their used 90-day allowance.
Technical Troubles and Transition
The implementation hasn't been seamless. Nielsen acknowledged "teething troubles," with three unnamed countries failing to meet the 35% target due to national-level technical issues.
Other problems include:
- Substandard or malfunctioning biometric registration equipment at some borders.
- Concerns over longer waiting times, especially during peak travel.
Nielsen suggested increasing self-service kiosks and automated gates—investments still eligible for EU funding—as part of the solution.
Despite calls from airlines for a timeline review ahead of the busy summer season, the Commission has "no plans to propose any changes." A three-month transition period after April will allow states to temporarily waive biometric collection to ease traffic, with possible extensions until September.
Who is Affected by the EES?
The EES applies at the external borders of the Schengen zone. This includes:
- Most EU countries (except Cyprus and Ireland)
- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland
It does not affect travel within the EU/Schengen area. The system targets third-country nationals (non-EU/Schengen citizens) entering for short stays.
- EU passport holders: Unaffected.
- Third-country visitors: Must register personal data and biometrics (fingerprints, facial image) at their first entry.
- Non-EU residents of the EU/Schengen zone: Show passport and residency permit; no EES registration required.
The Impact of the 90-Day Rule
While the EES enhances security, a primary goal is the automated enforcement of the 90/180-day rule. Overstaying can now lead to an entry refusal, a fine, and potentially an EU entry ban.
This stricter enforcement has caused friction. Drivers from the Western Balkans have blocked borders, arguing it hinders regular work. UK logistics groups have also urged the suspension of penalties, fearing driver shortages.
Nielsen acknowledged the challenge but noted member states are "very strict" on not changing the fundamental rule. The digital tracking era has firmly begun, making border rules harder to bend than ever before.