Intermin: automated border control system to be fully operational in Lithuania in spring

VILNIUS – The European Union’s (EU) new automated Entry/Exit System (EES) will be rolled out in Lithuania starting with Vilnius Airport in October, and border guards will begin using it at full capacity next spring, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic has said.

“The system is being introduced gradually and will only be operational at part of (border) posts for the first six months. We are starting with the airport, which has probably the lowest flow of third-country nationals, and will try to see what problems might arise when this particular system is in operation,” he told reporters at Vilnius Airport on Tuesday.

“The entire system is planned to be fully operational by next spring,” the minister added.

Rustamas Liubajevas, the commander of the State Border Guard Service (SBGS), said that after Vilnius Airport, the system would be rolled out at other airports.

“The next stage will be other airports, where that operation is also not very complicated and the flows are not heavy. Next will be the seaports and finally, land border crossing points. It is planned that the entire system will be fully operational in Lithuania within six months,” he said.

The European Commission has set October 12, 2025, as the launch date for the progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System across the EU.

The EES is an advanced technological system that will digitally record the entries and exits of non-EU nationals traveling to 29 European countries, including Schengen Associated ones, for short stays. It will capture biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial image, and other travel information, gradually replacing the current system of passport stamping.  

“Today, we have to use a system of stamps, checking their dates to determine whether the deadline has been exceeded. Over time, passport stamps will be phased out and all information will be stored as an electronic record in the systems, and border guards in all European Union countries will be able to see how long a third-country national has been in our economic or Schengen area,” the minister said.

According to the Interior Ministry, with the rollout of the system approaching, travelers will be informed about the changes through information campaigns at airports, border crossing points, and other public places.