The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) has issued a reminder to citizens about a new digital entry and exit system for Europe’s Schengen area, set to replace traditional passport stamping from Sunday, 12 October. The change marks a significant shift in border control procedures for the bloc.
A Digital Overhaul
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will automatically register non-EU nationals visiting for short stays, defined as up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Instead of a manual ink stamp, border officials will use an electronic system to record the traveller’s name, type of travel document, and biometric data, including fingerprints and a captured facial image. The date and location of entry and exit will also be digitally logged.
In its notice to Emirati travellers ahead of the launch, the ministry clarified the process for first-time visitors under the new rules. “Please note that upon your first entry into any EU country, your passport details and biometric data (photo and fingerprints) will be stored for three years,” Mofa stated. The data will only need to be updated if it changes or if an error is discovered.
Data Security and Exemptions
The ministry also provided assurances regarding the handling of sensitive information. It confirmed that all collected data will be stored in accordance with the European Union’s stringent privacy regulations, addressing potential concerns over how personal information is protected.
The new automated system is designed to streamline border crossings for the millions of people who visit the Schengen zone each year. However, the procedures will not apply to everyone. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that holders of diplomatic passports are exempt from the biometric registration process.
The transition to a digital system represents a modernisation of border management across the 27 Schengen countries, moving away from a decades-old manual process to a more integrated and automated approach.
