On Sunday new EU Entry/Exit System to come into force for third-country travelers

RIGA - From October 12, 2025, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operating in Latvia, as well as in other European countries, LETA learned from State Border Guard representative Jolanta Babisko.

During the first border crossing, when the biometric data of third-country nationals is registered, the border control process may take longer than usual. However, after the initial data registration, subsequent border crossings will be faster and more convenient.

In the long term, the EES will facilitate travel to Europe for third-country nationals who travel for short-term stays and who are expected to stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

For the purposes of the EES, a third-country national is a person who is not a national of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

The system will replace the current passport stamps with a digital registration mechanism that will automatically record entry and exit data. This will mean faster and more efficient border checks in the long term, as checks will be automated and less manual, the Border Guard informs.

At the same time, the new system will help prevent illegal migration by allowing accurate recording of persons entering and leaving the Schengen area.

The use of biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) will reduce cases of false identities and help prevent overstaying.

The introduction of the EES will also strengthen security in the Schengen area as a whole: border guards and law enforcement authorities will have access to essential information on travelers, which will allow early detection of security risks and a more effective fight against serious crime and terrorism.