On October 12, 2025, Portugal and other European countries began progressively implementing the new Entry/Exit System (EES). Created by the European Union (EU) to strengthen control over the external borders of the Schengen Area, this system replaces traditional passport stamps with automated and centralized electronic records. It is being rolled out simultaneously across all Schengen countries to enhance security, improve border control efficiency, and ensure stricter and more technological management of entries and exits of third-country nationals.
What is the Entry/Exit System?
The EES is an automated IT system that records third-country nationals crossing the external borders of participating European countries.
Who does it apply to?
The system applies to citizens of non-EU countries traveling to the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days), regardless of visa requirements. A “third-country national” is defined as someone who does not hold the nationality of any EU country or is not a national of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
Not covered by the EES:
- Nationals of European countries that have implemented the EES;
- Nationals of Andorra, Cyprus, Ireland, Monaco, San Marino, and holders of passports issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See;
- Holders of residence permits or long-stay visas;
- Third-country nationals who are direct family members of EU citizens and hold a residence card;
- Third-country nationals who are family members of another third-country national traveling in Europe as an EU citizen;
- Third-country nationals traveling for intra-company transfers, research, studies, training, volunteering, student exchange programs, educational projects, or as au pairs;
- Individuals exempt from border checks or granted specific privileges regarding such checks.
What changes with the EES?
The system replaces manual passport stamping with automated electronic registration, collecting data such as date, time, and border post of entry and exit, as well as biometric information (fingerprints and facial image). It helps detect overstays and fraudulent documents or identities.
It collects and stores:
- Data from travel documents (full name, date of birth, etc.);
- Date and location of entry and exit;
- Facial image and fingerprints (biometric data);
- Entry refusal information.
Refusal to provide biometric data will result in denial of entry into participating countries.
Who can access the collected personal data?
- Authorities responsible for borders, visas, and immigration in EES countries, in order to verify the identity of the visitor and determine whether he should be allowed to enter or remain in the territory;
- Law enforcement authorities and Europol for monitoring purposes;
- Under strict conditions, data may be transferred to another country (EU country or third country) or international organization for return procedures or other legal purposes;
- Transport companies may verify if short-stay visa holders have used their authorized entries but cannot access other personal data.
And in Portugal?
In Portugal, the implementation is coordinated by the Internal Security System (SSI), in collaboration with the Public Security Police (PSP), National Republican Guard (GNR), ANA Airports, National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), and port administrations. The goal is to ensure interoperability between national and European systems and uniform procedures across Member States.
Advantages
- Modernize and streamline border controls, replacing passport stamps;
- Facilitate cross-border travel;
- Prevent irregular migration and identity fraud, identifying people who have overstayed their visas and are using false identities/passports;
- Enhance Schengen Area security by providing border agents and law enforcement with traveler information.
At Lamares, Capela & Associados, we closely monitor legislative and administrative changes, ensuring strategic and thorough legal support for our clients. If you need legal assistance with immigration, contact us.