From 12 October 2025, all non -European travelers who want to enter the countries of the Schengen area will have to provide their biometric data, such as fingerprints and face images. The European Commission has in fact confirmed the entry into force of the entry/exit (EES) system for all non -European citizens who will cross the boundaries of one of the 29 countries of the Schengen space (i.e. all member states of the European Union with the exception of Cyprus and Ireland, together with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
Specifically, the obligation to provide its biometric data will come into force for short -term stays, i.e. for those who remain in the European territory up to a maximum of 90 days in a total period of 180.
But why did the Union decided to introduce this novelty? The objectives are manifold: on the one hand, the measures will allow to streamline the border checks (since the biometric data will be stored and will gradually replace the passport control system); On the other hand, the security procedures against irregular immigration will be strengthened and more easily identify those who use false identity documents.
How the new biometric control system works
Based on the new entry/exit system (EES), every time a non -European citizen does not cross the frontiers of the Schengen area, he will have to provide both his personal data (full name, date of birth etc.) and his biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images, which will be collected through the appropriate scanners and recognition cameras.
At that point, the information will flow into a centralized European archive, within which a complete digital document will be created with the name of the traveler, passport number, place and date of entry and exit and the respective biometric data. At this database both the border authorities of the various countries of the Schengen area will be able to access in real time, and European agencies to combat crime such as European.
As also reported in the ES guidelines, non -European travelers will be obliged to provide their data: in case of refusal, their input request will be refused.
The launch of the IT system had already been proposed in the EU several years ago, and then postponed several times: the change will still be gradual and the Schengen countries will be granted a six -month period to make the new checks completely operational.
Doubts about the privacy of non -European travelers
The introduction of these new checks for those who enter the Schengen space immediately raised doubts about the legitimacy and protection of the privacy of travelers.
First of all, an alternative is not provided to extra-Schengen citizens who, as already mentioned, will also be obliged to provide their biometric data, under penalty of a ban on entry into the area. This information, among other things, will be kept in a database from 3 up to 5 years: the EU has however specified that personal data will not be transferred to third parties (whether they are public or private bodies) and that the centralized archive has been developed in full compliance with the principles of privacy protection.
However, several experts have highlighted that the European regulation dedicated to artificial intelligence (which entered into force last February) highlighted, the biometric identification systems in real time were classified as a risk to the fundamental rights of citizens. However, it must be specified that the same regulation introduces different exceptions for national security reasons: in this case, biometric recognition is justified for public safety issues, to locate people suspected of having committed crimes or to identify victims.
