EU Entry And Exit System Launches Oct. 12

At this time, there is a strong focus on immigration enforcement and compliance from companies with a presence in the United States. However, as a reminder, immigration enforcement and compliance are on the rise globally and are expected to increase in the EU specifically with the launch of the new EU Entry and Exit System (EES) on Oct. 12.

The Schengen area's 29 European countries, including Switzerland, will introduce the EES system in phases, including the collection of biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial imaging, at their external borders, with full implementation by April 10, 2026.

The benefits of the EES are to make border checks more modern and efficient by gradually replacing passport stamping with a digital system that records when travelers enter and exit the EU. It also aims to prevent irregular migration by tracking who comes in and out of the Schengen area using biometric data, and increases the security in the Schengen area by giving