As of October 12, the European Union is launching a new biometric control system (EES) at the external borders of EU and Schengen Zone countries. This initiative will impact citizens from third countries, including Ukraine. The State Border Guard Service has reiterated this information.
Changes in Entry Rules to the EU
The new control system will be implemented gradually. It will be active at borders with EU member states - Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
“The EES system will affect all third country nationals (including Ukraine) crossing the external borders of the Schengen Zone for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period),” the State Border Guard Service stated.
After the launch of EES, during the first entry into the Schengen Zone, individuals will need to undergo a detailed registration process. This procedure will involve the collection of biometric data - a facial image and four fingerprints.
However, subsequent border crossings should be quicker, as biometric data will be verified against existing digital information, and the system will automatically record the date, time, and place of entry/exit.
What is the EES System and How Does It Function?
What changes await Ukrainians in 2025.
The new Entry and Exit System (EES) will be introduced not only in EU member states but also in Schengen Agreement countries like Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Exceptions have been made for Cyprus and Ireland, which are part of the EU, as they will not join the EES system.
This will eliminate the traditional passport control involving stamps. Instead, the registration of travelers will be automated through self-service terminals similar to those already used in airports for boarding pass checks.
Each time travelers cross the border - in either direction - they will scan their passports or other travel documents. The EES system will record personal data, including biometric parameters, name, date, and place of border crossing. This requires the use of biometric documents for border crossing.
The facial and fingerprint scanning process will be conducted once every three years. The data collected will be valid for multiple trips during this period and will be stored in an electronic database for three years after each journey.