Citizens from outside the European Union will undergo new biometric checks when traveling to Europe starting Sunday, with the launch of the long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES).

The system now requires all visitors from outside the EU to register their fingerprints and facial images when crossing into the passport-free Schengen area.

The new EU-wide biometric database will gradually replace manual passport stamps, digitally tracking travelers’ movements across 29 countries. The EES is scheduled to be fully operational by April 10, 2026.

The British newspaper “The Guardian” reported that the phased rollout to avoid border chaos means it may take another six months before all travelers are checked, with passport stamping continuing until the system is fully functional.

Under the EES, most citizens or residents from outside the EU or the European Economic Area will have their photos taken and fingerprints scanned at the border when traveling to the Schengen area.

Travelers will need to scan their passports and may also be asked to confirm if they have accommodation, a return ticket, sufficient funds, and health/travel insurance, although some border crossings do not require all these.

Banks of devices have been installed at airports and borders across Europe in preparation for the system, which was originally scheduled to start in 2022.

In the UK, Channel departure points where the French and EU border lies on British soil, including Eurostar at St Pancras International station, have invested tens of millions of pounds in infrastructure and computer systems to comply with the new requirements.

The additional inspection time—especially for drivers and passengers who will need to leave their vehicles to register information—has raised concerns about long queues, particularly at the Dover ferry terminal and, to a lesser extent, the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone.

The UK government has provided two additional sites in Kent for motorway traffic in anticipation of congestion.

However, concerns about traffic jams have largely eased thanks to the phased implementation. During the first month, only buses and heavy trucks will be inspected in the Channel Tunnel and Dover, and until January, only a minority of passengers will be required to register on Eurostar.

The European Commission stated on Friday that it expects the system to “make travel smoother and safer for everyone,” as the databases automatically provide border officials across the EU with instant access to violations.