How will the new rules at the borders affect your travel to Europe?

From October 12, 2025, a new entry and exit control system called EES (Entry/Exit System) will be implemented at the borders of the Schengen Area countries within the EU. This means that the way in which travelers from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Great Britain, America, Canada and other, enter and exit Europe is changing - it is digitalizing. The system applies to all countries that do not require a visa for the EU. The system applies to all countries that do not require a visa for the EU. The aim of the new system is to increase security, reduce the number of illegal stays, and speed up border crossings. However, in practice, especially in the summer season, longer waiting times should be expected in the beginning.

So, what exactly is the EES?

Simply put, the EES is an electronic system that replaces passport stamping. When you cross the border, the customs officer will no longer stamp your passport, but the system will automatically register you using your passport and biometric data (fingerprints and facial scan). All of this will be free of charge and will take place directly at the border, using special machines similar to those used at airports in the EU.
The EES is NOT the pre-travel entry authorisation system (which is applied for in advance) that will start in late 2026 and is called ETIAS.
Read more about the ETIAS system here: Everything you need to know about the EES and ETIAS systems.

What does this mean for you?

• No need to do anything in advance. Registration is done at the border automatically.
  
• No fees to be paid. The system is completely free.
  
• Passports will no longer be stamped. Everything will be digital.
  
• If you travel frequently, each entry and exit will be electronically recorded.
  
• If you stay longer than permitted, the system will automatically report it.
  

So, if you often travel from Serbia to Greece, Germany, or Austria – from October 2025, your travel experience will remain the same, but the border will be a bit “smarter” and stricter.

What will crossing the border with EES look like?

Self-service kiosks will be set up at border crossings.
At these kiosks, you will:

1. Scan your passport,
   
2. Provide a fingerprint,
   
3. Turn towards the face scanning camera.
   

Then, you will proceed to the border police officer who will already see all your data in the system and decide on your entry. The whole process should only take a few minutes, but in the initial months, delays and longer waiting times are expected as all passengers will need to go through the initial registration.

What is recorded and for how long is it kept?

The system will record:

• when you entered the Schengen Area country,
  
• when you exited,
  
• the total duration of your stay.
  

The data (including biometrics) will be kept for three years, and based on this information, the system will accurately determine if someone has exceeded the allowed 90 days of stay within a period of 180 days.

Who is not subject to the EES?

This system does not apply to everyone.
The EES does not apply to:

• citizens of EU countries, Schengen Area countries, Cyprus, and Ireland,
  
• those who have a residence permit in any European country - Schengen Area countries,
  
• family members of EU citizens,
  
• citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican,
  
• diplomats and heads of state,
  
• cross-border workers and individuals who frequently cross the border for work,
  
• researchers, students, volunteers, and au pair programs participants,
  
• soldiers, members of rescue missions, or others exempt from control.
  

Why is the EES being introduced?

The European Union is introducing this system for several reasons:

• to modernize border control and reduce queues,
  
• to prevent visa and passport abuse,
  
• to increase security,
  
• to accurately track the duration of stay for third-country passengers,
  
• and to facilitate travel for those who follow the rules.
  

In other words, the EES will help in detecting:

• individuals who stay longer than permitted,
  
• those using false identities,
  
• and potentially – individuals involved in criminal activities.
  

What does this mean for tourists and travelers?

If you are traveling to Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, or any other Schengen country – all you need to know is:

• No pre-registration required.
  
• Everything happens automatically at the border.
  
• The process is free of charge.
  
• First entry may have longer waiting times.
  
• Subsequent crossings will be faster.
  

EES is part of a broader EU plan, and after it (by the end of 2026), the implementation of the ETIAS system will begin, which will require most travelers from Serbia and the region to have an electronic travel authorization for the EU.

If you have any doubts, we advise you to read about the EES system on the Official EES website or ask at the consulate of the country you are planning to visit.
Watch a video about the EES system here (in Serbian language).

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the new control system at border crossings

If I am married to a citizen of a Schengen country, does this control apply to me?

Answer: It depends on your status and where your spouse resides.

• If your spouse lives in a Schengen country and you have a family member residence card under Directive 2004/38/EC, you are not subject to EES registration.
  
• If your spouse lives in their home country (e.g., Norway), and you come from a third country without a residence permit, you will be registered in the EES system.
  

Source: European Commission – To whom does the EES not apply

Do children also have to register in the EES system?

Registration in the EES system is mandatory for all ages. Children under the age of 12 will not give their fingerprints, but they will have to stand in front of the machine to have their face photographed (scanned). https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees/faq#which-biometric-identifiers-will-ees-store

I am a citizen of Montenegro traveling to Greece with my family – will I be checked?

Yes. Citizens of Montenegro (as well as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia) are not part of the Schengen Zone and will be registered in the EES system upon entering and leaving the EU, unless they have a residence permit or a long-term visa issued by an EU member state.

I am a Serbian citizen working in Germany and I have a residence permit – will I be scanned or not?

If you have a valid residence permit or a long-term visa issued by an EU country (for example, Germany), you are not subject to EES registration.

How will the control process work for persons with disabilities?

The exact procedure for persons with disabilities has not yet been defined. We will monitor updates and provide information as soon as it becomes available.

I want to go on vacation to Greece, but I’ve already spent 85 days in EU countries. Can I still enter Greece?

Yes, you can. The EES tracks a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you have used 85 days, you can still enter and use the remaining 5 days. However, be careful not to exceed the total of 90 days within the Schengen Zone.
Source: European Commission

What if I have already used all 90 days in the EU and try to enter again?

You will be refused entry. If you have spent 90 days in the Schengen Zone within a 180-day period, you cannot re-enter until enough days have passed to fall below the 90-day limit. These are the same rules that have applied until now.
Source: European Commission – EES FAQ

If I overstayed in a Schengen country (for example, Greece), can I skip the EES check and ask to see a border officer instead?

No. If you overstayed, you will still be registered in the EES system, and return procedures may be initiated in line with Directive ²⁰⁰⁸⁄₁₁₅.
Voluntary departure is prioritized.
In some cases, an entry ban (up to 5 years) may be issued, and your data entered into the SIS system.
In any case, you must go through border control and cannot avoid EES registration.
Source: European Commission – EES FAQ

I had a 5-year entry ban to EU countries due to overstaying. The ban has expired, but I still have problems entering after the new EES system started. What should I do?

If an expired entry ban remains in the system and prevents you from entering the EU, you need to submit a Request for Deletion of the Alert. The best option is to contact the consular office of the country that issued the ban.

I am from Serbia and work in Germany – do I go through EES control?

It depends on your residency status.

• If you have a valid residence permit or long-term visa issued by an EU country (for example, Germany), you are not subject to EES registration.
  
• If you only have a short-stay visa, you are subject to EES registration.
  We recommend contacting your consulate or embassy and explaining exactly which type of permit you hold.
  

I am a citizen of Serbia, Bosnia or North Macedonia and I work seasonally in Greece – will I be checked at the border?

If you have a residence permit or a long-term visa issued by Greece (even a temporary one), you are not subject to EES registration.
However, if you only have a seasonal work permit without residency rights, you will be registered in the EES system upon entry.

I am from Serbia and work as a nurse in Germany – will I go through control when traveling to Greece with my family?

It depends on your status.
If you have a valid residence permit or long-term visa issued by an EU country (for example, Germany), you are not subject to EES registration.
Since you are traveling with your family, it’s best to contact the Greek consular office in your area. There are many different types of residence permits, and they can give you the most accurate advice on whether you and your family are subject to EES registration.

I am a student in the EU – am I subject to EES control?

If you have a residence permit or a student visa issued by an EU country (for example, France, Germany, Italy, etc.), you are not subject to EES registration.
If you are in the EU temporarily, without a residence permit, then you are considered as a all others citizens of your country and will be registered in the EES system.

How will this new system affect those crossing the border with pets?

The rules for pets remain the same – existing veterinary requirements continue to apply. However, their owners will still need to go through EES registration.

If I already entered the EU earlier and completed the EES procedure before my vacation, will there be a special lane for me at the Greek border?

You will still need to go through the EES scanning and data check again when entering Greece.
However, the process should be faster, since your data will already be stored in the system.
Each member state will organize border procedures individually. For example, Croatia is already considering a special lane for frequent travelers, while we are still waiting to see how Greece will handle it in practice.

I own property in Greece but I am a Serbian citizen. Will there be any privileges for longer stays (over 90 days) or exemptions from EES control?

According to the current information we have, there are no exemptions or special rules for Serbian property owners in Greece regarding EES registration or the 90-day stay limit.
If anything changes, we will publish updates promptly.

If I go to the border with Croatia during winter and complete EES registration, will I need to be scanned again when traveling to Greece in summer?

Yes. You will need to go through the EES scan and data check again, just like before when border officers checked passport stamps.
However, the process should be faster, since your information will already be stored in the system.

We suggest you follow us on social media, where we are always the first to post the latest information.

Read more about the EES system and the ETIAS system, which is under preparation and will begin implementation at the end of 2026, here: New Border Controls for Travelers from Outside the EU: Everything You Need to Know about the EES and ETIAS Systems.

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