Starting November 10, the EU will implement new entry regulations for the Schengen area, which will be subject to change.

Starting from November 10, the European Union will implement a new algorithm for accounting individuals entering the Schengen Area.

The new IT system EES (Entry/Exit System) will automatically record the entry and exit of all non-EU citizens, including Ukrainians, into Schengen countries.

This system will simultaneously collect biometric data from travelers, specifically fingerprints and facial photos, which will be stored for three years.

At the same time, passport stamps will no longer be issued, and registration will take place through self-service terminals. The time required to cross the border may slightly increase, as collecting biometric data could take up to 40 seconds. The EES will also document any refusals of entry.

The Ukrainian government emphasizes that the visa-free regime remains in place, and no additional assembly is being introduced at this time. Only the methods of document verification are changing. Passport stamps will be replaced by facial scans and fingerprinting.

The mechanism is as follows – each traveler must approach a special self-service "booth" and scan their biometric passport. It is important to note that this rule does not apply to three groups:

• EU citizens;
• EU residents;
• Individuals with long-term visas.

For all other individuals, crossing the border is only possible in this manner. The creators of this mechanism assert that the EES is an excellent way to enhance security in EU countries and to prevent attempts by refugees or travelers to remain in the EU illegally.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) reads all the data from the biometric passport, including the date and place of entry and exit. Every three years, it will be necessary to update the facial scan and fingerprints to keep the information current. This will also make the use of fake biometric passports impossible.

1

2

3

4

5