Travel advisories have been issued by Emirates and Air Arabia for travelers heading to Europe. The European Union will start implementing a new Entry/Exit System (EES) at Schengen borders on October 12, 2025, which will replace the current passport stamping process with a computerized record of travelers' arrival and departure. By April 10, 2026, full implementation is anticipated in all 29 participating nations.
Short-term visitors who are not EU/Schengen citizens are required to use the EES. Those with long-stay visas or residency permits, EU nationals, and Schengen residents are unaffected.
According to Emirates, the system records personal and biometric data—such as fingerprints and a facial image—for non-EU/Schengen nationals traveling for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. During the first visit, border officials will capture biometric information along with passport details, while future entries and exits will be logged automatically, removing the need for repeat registration.
