Starting October 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will Replace Traditional Passport Stamps
Biometrics, Automatic Stay Calculation, and Fraud Detection: What Will Change for Tunisians
The traditional passport stamps at the entrance of the Schengen area will soon be a thing of the past. The European Union is set to revolutionize its border control with the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will be deployed starting October 12, 2025. This technological shift will directly impact the thousands of Tunisians who travel to Europe each year, whether as tourists, students, or professionals.
Announced by the European Commission, this new border architecture aims to modernize, secure, and accelerate border crossings while more effectively combating irregular immigration. For Tunisian citizens, who are subject to visa requirements, the travel experience will not be fundamentally different, but it will gain in digital traceability.
What the EES Means for Tunisians
The EES will apply to all non-EU nationals, including Tunisian citizens, whether they are visa-exempt or not, for short-term stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period).
What Will Change
During your next trip to a Schengen country after the system's deployment, the traditional entry stamp in your passport will be replaced by a fully digital record. At your first passage, an agent will digitize the data page of your passport and capture your biometric data: a facial photo and fingerprints of all ten fingers. This information, along with the date and place of entry, will be encrypted and stored in a secure European database.
At each subsequent border crossing, the system will automatically verify this data and calculate in real-time the number of days of stay you have consumed out of the 90 days maximum allowed within any 180-day period.
The Real Objectives of Brussels
Behind this modernization, the EU is pursuing specific security and migration objectives:
- Eradicate overstays: The EES will automatically identify anyone who has exceeded the authorized stay duration, a recurring problem according to European authorities.
- Strengthen the fight against cross-border crime: The system will enable data crossing to detect document forgeries, identity theft, and better track reported individuals.
- Accelerate controls: After an adaptation phase, the EU promises that travelers "in order" will pass more quickly thanks to automation (biometric gates, self-service kiosks), reducing waiting lines.
A Phased Deployment
The transition will not happen overnight. The system will come into effect progressively starting October 12, 2025, across all EU external borders (airports, ports, land border posts). A six-month trial period is planned, with full application expected by April 10, 2026. During this phase, some border posts may still use the old method while staff is being trained and equipment is being installed.
Preparing for the Change
No prior formalities are required for travelers to register in this new system. The first registration will take place directly at the first border crossing point as of the deployment date.
However, it is advisable to:
- Check the validity of your passport: A damaged or soon-to-expire document could complicate data reading and thus the process.
- Gather information before departing: Stay informed about recommendations from destination country embassies and airlines to be aware of potential procedure changes in airports.
- Strictly respect the stay duration: With the EES, it will become technically impossible to avoid detection in case of overstay. Consequences (territory ban, future visa refusal) could be severe.
