For travelers from non-Schengen countries, Germany has started introducing a digital registration system this fall: the Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaces the previous stamping of travel documents.
The schengen-wide mechanism allows travelers' entries and exits to be recorded centrally and digitally. It documents alphanumeric data (name, date of birth, etc.), biometric features (fingerprints, facial image), and the time and place of entry or exit.
The objectives of digitalizing the EU border system are as follows: to increase security at the EU's external borders, to improve identity checks, and to track whether travelers have exceeded their permitted length of stay.
Düsseldorf Airport was the first German airport to implement the new system in October. Frankfurt Airport followed at the end of October, and Terminals 1 and 2 at Munich Airport followed in mid-November.
The European Commission has stipulated that the EES is to be introduced in stages until 9 April 2026. By then, Germany will have implemented full operation of the system at all external air and sea borders.
The introduction of the EES will not change anything for EU citizens.