EES for Australians: Avoid Delays at Europe’s Borders

Updated 2nd March 2026:

Travel to Europe has officially changed for Australians.

As of 12 October 2025, the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is now live, rolling out across Schengen Area borders.

The new system replaces manual passport stamping with biometric checks, fingerprints and facial scans, designed to improve border security, reduce overstays, and standardise border procedures across Europe.

If you’re an Australian traveller planning a European holiday or visiting regularly for business, here’s exactly how the EES will affect you, and what you can do to make border crossings smoother.

What Is the EES?

The Entry/Exit System is a digital border management program introduced by the EU. Instead of border officers stamping passports, the EES will electronically record your entry and exit when travelling into or out of the Schengen Zone.

It will collect details such as:

• Your passport information
• The date and place you enter and leave the EU
• Biometric data (facial scan, fingerprints)

For Australians, this means a faster but more structured process at airports and land crossings.

When Did the EES Start?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) officially began its rollout on 12 October 2025, marking the start of a six month phase-in period across Europe.
Each participating country is activating the system at different border points between October 2025 and April 2026, so not every airport or port will be live straight away.

Australians travelling to Europe from mid October 2025 onward should expect to go through the new EES registration process, which includes fingerprint and facial scans on their first trip.

✅ Quick Reference – EES Rollout (2025–2026)

Start Date: 12 October 2025
End Date: 10 April 2026
Countries Participating: 29
Not Participating: Cyprus, Ireland

ℹ️ Note: The rollout is phased — exact border start dates vary by country and location.

🔹 See the full country list & details here → EES Rollout by Country: Start Dates & Timeline

Do Australians Need a Visa?

At present, Australians can enter Europe visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This rule stays the same under the EES.

Later, the EU will also introduce ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)—an online travel authorisation. This is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026. ETIAS is separate from the EES but will work alongside it.

For a full overview of both the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), including how they work together and what changes to expect at the border, see The Complete Guide to EES and ETIAS.

What About Travel to the UK?

Many Australians start their European holidays in London before heading across to continental Europe. It’s important to know that the UK is not part of the Schengen Zone, so the EES will not apply when you arrive at Heathrow, Gatwick, or any other UK airport.

Instead, the UK is rolling out its own border system called the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). From early 2025, Australians need an ETA to enter the UK, even for short visits.

👉 For details, see our full guide: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): United Kingdom 2025

Step-by-Step: What Happens at the Border?

Here’s what an Australian traveller can expect when arriving in Europe under the new system:

1. Approach the kiosk or eGate – Instead of lining up for a manual passport check, many airports will direct non-EU travellers to automated kiosks.
2. Scan your passport – The kiosk reads your biometric passport and pulls up your details.
3. Provide fingerprints (if required) – If it’s your first time under the EES and you’re over 12 years old, you may be asked to scan four fingers. Children under 12 are exempt.
4. Facial image capture – You’ll look into a camera for a quick face scan.
5. Confirmation – Once complete, you proceed through the gate or to an officer if further checks are needed.

On future visits, the system will recognise you quickly and usually won’t require fingerprints again.

Biometrics: What Australians Should Know

• Facial image: Always collected.
• Fingerprints: Collected the first time you use the system (unless under 12 years old).
• Children under 12: No fingerprint scans, but still recorded in the system with passport and facial image.
• Visa holders: If you already have a Schengen visa, your fingerprints are on file from the visa application, so the EES will only take your face scan at the border.

How This Affects Australians

For most Australians, the biggest change is that your passport won’t be stamped anymore. Instead, the system will automatically track how many days you’ve spent in the Schengen Zone. This makes it easier for both you and border officials to know if you’re close to reaching your 90-day limit.

Another consideration:

• Expect slightly longer lines at the start, especially while travellers and border staff adjust.
• Over time, the system should speed things up, particularly at busy airports like Athens, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, where many Australians first land.

Practical Tips for Australian Travellers

• Arrive early: During the first months of rollout, factor in extra time for border control.
• Carry the right passport: Make sure yours is an ePassport with a chip, as older passports may cause delays. You cannot use the automated system if your passport is not an ePassport.
• Stay informed: If you travel often, check which airports have already activated EES before your trip.
• Plan for ETIAS in late 2026: The EES is just the start; ETIAS will soon be an extra step before booking flights.

FAQs

Will Australians still get 90 days in Europe?
Yes. The EES doesn’t change the rule, you can still visit the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Do Australians need ETIAS now?
Not yet. ETIAS is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026. Dual Nationals are not eligible for ETIAS, they must instead travel with their European passport. Don’t get caught out, check the new rules and ensure you know your citizenship status.

What if I’m travelling with kids?
Children under 12 don’t provide fingerprints, but their details and photo will still be logged in the system.

Will this make the border faster?
In the long run, yes. But expect initial queues during the adjustment period.

Final Thoughts

For Australians, the new EES is a big shift in how European borders are managed. While the system might mean a few extra steps at the kiosk on your first trip, it also promises a smoother and more reliable way to record travel.

If you’re planning a holiday or business trip to Europe after October 2025, be prepared for these changes; and remember that both the UK ETA and ETIAS will become part of your travel checklist.

📚Related Reading:

• The Complete Guide to EES and ETIAS (Europe’s New Travel Rules Explained)

ETIAS Guides:

• ETIAS Travel Authorization: Major Update On Start Date
• ETIAS vs EES: Key Differences You Should Know
• ETIAS Common Mistakes
• Dual Citizens & ETIAS: You May Need a European Passport (2026)

EES Guides:

• European Entry Exit System (EES): Now Live Across Europe
• EES Rollout by Country: Start Dates & Timeline (2025–2026)
• EES for UK Travellers
• 🔹 You’re here: EES for Australian Travellers
• EES for US Travellers

UK Entry Rules

• Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): United Kingdom
• Do British Dual Citizens Need a UK ETA? Passport Rules in 2026

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