EU Biometric Border System Goes Fully Live — Passport Stamps Replaced at All Schengen Entry Points From Today

The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) becomes fully operational on Thursday, April 10, replacing passport stamps with digital biometric records at all Schengen external borders. Portugal, which was among the first countries to begin the phased rollout last October, will now enforce the system without exception — and travellers arriving at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports should expect longer queues in the coming weeks.

What the EES does

The system digitally records the entry and exit of every non-EU citizen travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. At the border, travellers will have their facial image and four fingerprints scanned and linked to their passport data. The records replace the physical passport stamp and allow border authorities across the bloc to verify in real time whether a traveller has overstayed or been previously refused entry.

Since the phased rollout began on October 12, 2025, more than 24,000 people have been refused entry due to expired or fraudulent documents or an inability to justify their visit, according to EU border agency eu-LISA. More than 600 individuals have also been flagged as posing security risks.

Who is affected

The EES applies to all non-EU and non-Schengen nationals entering for short stays, including citizens of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and all other visa-exempt countries. Holders of long-term visas, residence permits, or EU family reunion cards are exempt, as are nationals of Ireland and Cyprus, which do not participate in the Schengen border system.

For the large community of British nationals living in or visiting Portugal, the change is particularly significant. UK passport holders will need to register biometric data on their first entry under the new system, even if they have visited Portugal many times before.

Airport delays expected

Airport and airline industry associations have warned that waiting times at passport control are "regularly reaching up to two hours at peak traffic times," with some airports reporting even longer queues during the phased introduction. From April 10, border authorities can no longer suspend EES registration during peak periods — a flexibility that was permitted during the transition.

ANA Aeroportos, which operates Portugal's main airports, has advised passengers to arrive well in advance and to consider using the Travel to Europe mobile app, currently available in Portugal and Sweden, which allows pre-registration of biometric photos and passport data up to 72 hours before arrival. Travellers with biometric passports can also use self-service kiosks, while standard passport holders must go through manned booths.

What happens if you refuse

Travellers who decline to provide biometric data will be automatically refused entry to the Schengen area. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but still require a facial photograph. The stored data will be retained for three years, or five years for travellers who overstay.

The EES is the most significant overhaul of the EU's external border management since the creation of the Schengen area in 1995, and it lays the groundwork for the forthcoming ETIAS travel authorisation system — Europe's equivalent of the US ESTA — which is expected to follow later this year.