EES at German airports: New entry and exit system from October 2025

Starting October 12, 2025, travelers from non-EU countries traveling to the Schengen Area for a short stay will face a new procedure at German airports: The European Entry and Exit System (EES) will be launched – initially at Düsseldorf Airport. Frankfurt, Munich, and later all other airports and seaports in Germany will follow, the German Federal Government announced in a statement.

The EES is technically necessary for the implementation of the planned electronic registration system, ETIAS . The full rollout of the EES is scheduled to be completed in phases by April 9, 2026.

The Federal Government explains: “The EES replaces the previous analogue stamping of travel documents with digital recording of entry and exit data.” This means that instead of stamps in passports, entry and exit data will be digitally recorded in the system in the future – including fingerprints and facial images.

In our WhatsApp channel, you'll find exclusive travel tips, unusual destinations, and affordable travel deals. Want to be notified of important news immediately? Activate the bell in the channel and be notified of new posts.

Sounds like more work? According to the Federal Police, the whole process primarily brings advantages: "The focus of the new border control process is security and efficiency. " The goal is to reduce waiting times, make identity fraud more difficult, and make border crossings more transparent.

For EU citizens, everything will remain the same – they will only notice the change in structural adjustments and new processes, such as at Düsseldorf Airport.

Düsseldorf Airport is the first stop on the new system – and has undergone major renovations.

As the portal "Aerotelegraph" reports, "the non-EU zones in the entry areas have been expanded, additional screening lanes have been created, and waiting areas have been enlarged." Furthermore, the airline is relying on "intelligent queuing systems that control passenger flows."

To ensure smooth operations, 35 self-service kiosks are available where travelers with biometric passports can pre-register . " Route guidance and signage are designed to make it easy for travelers to find their way around," an airport spokesperson told Aerotelegraph.

And when it comes to information, no one should be left in the dark: “On this basis, we will promptly inform our passengers in the terminal, on our website and in social media about the procedures so that they receive reliable information at as many contact points as possible ,” the spokesperson announced.

• Only third-country nationals, i.e., travelers from outside the EU, the EEA, Norway, or Switzerland, are affected . Nothing changes for EU citizens.
• Allow more time: Düsseldorf Airport advises that border control may take a little longer, especially in the first few weeks.
• Use self-service: If you have a biometric passport, you should definitely use the kiosks – it’s faster.
• Travel well informed: If you are coming from a third country, you should find out about the procedures before departure - for example on the websites of the respective airports such as the DUS , from airlines, the foreign missions or directly from the Federal Police .

What do travelers need to know right now? You can find all the important news for your vacation at reisereporter .

travel reporter